Patrik Laine says NO to being traded to Western Conference team
Patrik Laine came close to being a member of the Minnesota Wild, however he refused it right at the last minute, before being traded to Montreal.
Finally, after months of speculation, Finnish winger Patrik Laine got traded as the Columbus Blue Jackets moved him along with a second-round pick in the 2026 draft to the Montreal Canadiens. In return, Columbus added promising young defenseman Jordan Harris.
Patrik Laine had kind of a rocky time in Columbus, which encouraged him to ask for this new start. That wish finally came true with the trade to Montreal, but as it turns out the Jackets were not alone in the pursuit of Laine.
Minnesota Wild's GM Bill Guerin told La Velle E. Neal III of The Minnesota Star Tribune his team too had been in pursuit of the 26-year-old, but according to Guerin, Patrik Laine was less than enthused at the thought of moving to Minnesota. Neal followed that up with confirmation that the Wild were indeed on Laine's no-trade list.
"Guerin said he had made progress on a deal and believed he had a chance to complete a swap, until he couldn't. When I asked him if Laine wanted to come to the Twin Cities, Guerin said. "No."
That suggests, and what I suspect, is that Laine had the Wild on a no-trade list." Neal said.
That suggests, and what I suspect, is that Laine had the Wild on a no-trade list." Neal said.
Landing Patrik Laine would have made the Wild a very different team, adding to what was already an elite lineup featuring emerging stars in Matt Boldy and Kirill Kaprizov. It's not hard to see, though, why Laine might favor the Canadiens as he joins a roster that could show some significant positive trends moving forward.
Now that the trade is finally completed, Patrik Laine can begin off-season preparation for the 2024-25 season with the Canadiens. He has laced up his skates and hit the ice at the club's practice facility, skating with some of his new teammates.
That Montreal top-six has the potential to wreak havoc this season, with the whole team set to move along further with its rebuild. A deep playoff run this season would be reaching a bit far for the Canadiens, but a push for the wild card and remaining competitive deep into the season would go a long way for the franchise.
Source: Blades of Steel
Patrik Laine reportedly rejected trade to Western Conference team this summer
Patrik Laine reportedly rejected trade to Western Conference team this summer
| POLL | ||
8 SEPTEMBRE | 186 ANSWERS Patrik Laine says NO to being traded to Western Conference team How many points will Patrik Laine get this season? | ||
| Over 80 | 8 | 4.3 % |
| 60-80 | 53 | 28.5 % |
| 40-60 | 79 | 42.5 % |
| Under 40 | 46 | 24.7 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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