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The Blue Jackets and Jets have struck a successful trade to trade disgruntled stars as winger Patrik Laine heads to Columbus as center Pierre-Luc Dubois lands in Winnipeg.
Columbus forward Jack Roslovic is also heading to the Blue Jackets as part of the deal. Columbus sends Winnipeg their third-round pick in 2022.
Dubois, 22, signed a two-year, $ 10 million contract extension ahead of training camp, although sources confirmed to ESPN that in negotiating he also told management he wanted be exchanged. Columbus general manager Jarmo Kekalainen was in no rush to move Dubois – the No.3 pick in the 2016 draft – preferring to wait until he can land the best comeback. However, the situation worsened with Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella at Dubois bench after Thursday’s first period.
“He hasn’t given a reason why he wants to leave,” Tortorella told 97.1 The Fan last week. “He should get the upper hand. That’s how I think you should run your own business and be the best team you can be.”
Laine, who was drafted in the No.2 in the 2016 draft, had been a supposed business candidate since his agent told TSN this offseason that it would be “mutually beneficial” for both sides to get a fresh start.
“I’m here, aren’t I,” Laine told reporters ahead of the season, downplaying demand.
The 22-year-old Finnish winger has scored 28 career goals and 35 assists in 68 games in 2019-2020, and has two goals and an assist in his first game of 2020-2021.
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 offensive roster has been a priority for us and the additions of Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic accomplish just that,” Kekalainen said in a statement. “Patrik is a player we know very well and has quickly become one of our league’s top scorers. Jack is an exciting young player with great potential and we are delighted to bring him back to Columbus as a Blue. Jacket. “
Laine is currently on reserve injured with an upper body injury. He’s in the final year of a two-year bridging deal that earns him $ 6.75 million a year. The Jets will keep 26% of Laine’s salary, according to the team.
The Blue Jackets have announced that they have entered into a two-year, $ 3.8 million contract with Roslovic for the 2021-22 season.
Under Canada’s quarantine rules, Dubois will be required to remain isolated for 14 days and miss a minimum of seven games. Dubois has registered 66 goals and 93 assists for 159 points in 239 career games.
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