The Blue Jackets and Jets have completed a successful deal to exchange dissatisfied stars as Patrik Laine’s wing heads to Columbus, while Pierre-Luc Dubois center has landed in Winnipeg.
Striker Jack Roslovic, originally from Columbus, is also heading to the Blue Jackets as part of the transaction. Columbus sends Winnipeg the election in the third round of 2022.
Dubois, 22, signed a $ 10 million two-year contract extension before the training camp, although sources confirmed to ESPN that while negotiating, he told management he wanted to be traded. . GM, Columbus Jarmo Kekalainen, was in no hurry to move Dubois – choice no. 3 of the 2016 draft – preferring to wait until he can get the best return. However, the situation has grown with Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella, who made Dubois after the first period on Thursday.
“He didn’t give any reason he wants to leave,” Tortorella told 97.1 Fan last week. “He should be in front of her. That’s how I think you should take care of your business and be the best team you can be.”
Laine, who was selected 2nd in the 2016 project, had been a candidate for commercial rumors since his agent told TSN this offseason that it would be “mutually beneficial” for both sides to start again.
“I’m here, aren’t I?” Laine told reporters before the season, minimizing demand.
The 22-year-old Finnish winger had 28 goals and 35 assists in his career in over 68 matches in 2019-20 and had two goals and one assist in his first match of 2020-21.
Since his debut in 2016-17, only eight players (Alex Ovechkin, Auston Matthews, David Pastrnak, Nikita Kucherov, Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, John Tavares and Patrick Kane) have scored more goals than Laine’s 140.
“Strengthening our range offensively has been a priority for us, and the additions of Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic achieve just that,” Kekalainen said in a statement. “Patrik is a player we know very well and he soon became one of the most competent scorers in our league. Jack is a young and interesting player with great potential and we are delighted to bring him home to Columbus as Blue Jacket. “
Laine is currently in the injured reserve with an upper body injury. He is in the final year of a two-year deal, earning him $ 6.75 million annually. The jets will keep 26% of Laine’s salary, according to the team.
The Blue Jackets announced that they have reached a two-year contract with $ 3.8 million with Roslovic in the 2021-22 season.
According to Canada’s quarantine rules, Dubois will have to remain isolated for 14 days and miss a minimum of seven games. Dubois has 66 goals and 93 assists for 159 points in 239 career games.