Patrik Laine was traded from the Columbus Blue Jackets to the Montreal Canadiens on Monday. The 26-year-old forward, if healthy, would be a significant addition to the Canadiens’ second scoring position as they regroup, and he also brings one of the NHL’s hardest shots on their power play.
According to NHL EDGE statistics, Laine ranked in the 91st percentile in maximum shot velocity (98.27 mph) and in the 90th percentile in average shot velocity (65.15 mph) last season despite being limited to 18 games. He played his final game for the Blue Jackets on Dec. 14 due to a broken collarbone and was treated by the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program on Jan. 28. He was released from the program on July 26.
Laine is a comeback candidate looking to return to the elite form he showed early in his NHL career with the Winnipeg Jets. He began his career with three consecutive 30-goal seasons and peaked with career highs of 44 goals, 70 points and 31 power play points in the 2017-18 season. Laine also had more than 200 shots on goal in each of his first four NHL seasons in Winnipeg.
Laine, the No. 2 pick in the 2016 NHL Draft behind Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews, had his best season in terms of points per game (1.00; 56 in 56 games) with Columbus in the 2021/22 season.
Another highlight of Laine’s tenure with the Blue Jackets has been his mid-range play. In the 2021-22 season, he ranked in the 94th percentile in mid-range shots on goal (86) and in the 92nd percentile in mid-range goals (11). In the 2022-23 season, Laine ranked in the 91st percentile in mid-range shots on goal (80) and in the 88th percentile in mid-range goals (nine). Laine also showed his power play potential this season, ranking in the 83rd percentile in time in the offensive zone on the power play (61.3).
