Patrik Laine was caught off guard by the trade to the Blue Jackets, but he's excited to join the team. Terrence Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Former Jets winger Patrik Laine shocked by trade to Blue Jackets

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 1/23/21

The Winnipeg Jets traded star winger Patrik Laine and forward Jack Roslovic to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday in exchange for Pierre-Luc Dubois and a third-round pick.

Laine reportedly wanted out of Winnipeg, but he was still surprised by the trade to Columbus, according to The Athletic's Alison Lukan.

Patrik Laine talking to @DMaetzMedia says trade was a shock but now he’s excited to join #CBJ and when asked about the team’s struggle to score goals he says “they just scored three goals, what do you mean?”
— Alison (@AlisonL) January 23, 2021

Laine had spent the first four seasons of his career with the Jets and began his fifth season with the franchise this year. Winnipeg selected him with the second overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft.

The 22-year-old notched 250 points (140 goals, 110 assists) in 306 games with the Jets, helping the franchise reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

It's unclear when he'll take the ice for the Blue Jackets. The Jets placed him on injured reserve with an upper-body injury. However, he seems excited for a fresh start, but he might end up playing in Columbus for only one season. Laine's two-year, $13.5 million deal expires after the 2020-21 campaign, and then he'll become a restricted free agent.

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