The Blue Jackets and Jets have completed a huge commercial success to change disgruntled stars as winger Patrik Laine heads to Columbus while center Pierre-Luc Dubois has landed in Winnipeg.
Columbus native Jack Roslovic is also heading to the Blue Jackets as part of the deal. Columbus sends his third round to Winnipeg in 2022.
Dubois, 22, signed a $ 10 million two-year extension before the training camp, although sources confirmed to ESPN that while negotiating he also told management he wanted to be changed. Columbus GM Jarmo Kekalainen was in no hurry to move Dubois, the No. 3 pick in the 2016 draft, preferring to wait until he achieves the best return. However, the situation worsened with Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella replacing Dubois after the first period on Thursday.
“He hasn’t given any reason he wants to leave,” Tortorella told 97.1 The Fan last week. “You should get ahead. It’s the way I think you should do your business and be the best team you can be.”
Laine, who was selected at No. 2 in the 2016 draft, had been a rumored commercial candidate since his agent told TSN this season that it would be “mutually beneficial” for both parties to start again.
“I’m here, right?” Laine told reporters before the season, downplaying the request.
The 22-year-old Finnish winger had 28 goals and a maximum of 35 career assists in 68 games in 2019-20, and had two goals and one assist in his first game of 2020-21.
Since his 2016-17 debut, 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 training offensively has been a priority for us and the additions of Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic are achieving that,” Kekalainen said in a statement. “Patrik is a player we know very well and in a short time he has become one of the most competent scorers in our league. Jack is a young and exciting player with great potential and we are delighted to take him home to Columbus. like a blue jacket. “
Laine is currently on reserve injured with an injury to his upper body. He is in the final year of a two-year bridge deal that earns him $ 6.75 million a year. According to the team, the Jets will retain 26% of Laine’s salary.
The Blue Jackets announced they have reached a two-year, $ 3.8 million contract with Roslovic during the 2021-22 season.
Under 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.