Fans of the Jets and Blue Jackets knew this was coming.
After reports came out that C Patrik Laine (Winnipeg) and C Pierre-Luc Dubois (Columbus) were unhappy with their current situations, the countdown was on for both players to be moved from their respective teams.
For Laine, it was reported as early as September of 2019 that Laine didn’t like his rotating linemates or the fact that he was on the second-line. Ever since then, rumors have been swirling about Laine’s departure from Winnipeg.
As for Dubois, he requested to be traded out of Ohio after signing a two-year extension with the Blue Jackets which ends before the 2022 season. No one truly knows why Dubois wanted out of Columbus, but his removal from the franchise is similar to other stars opting to not hunker down and play for the Blue Jackets.
Well, the time has come for both Laine and Dubois to depart the respective cities that drafted them. Laine (alongside Jack Roslovic) have been traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Pierre-Luc Dubois and a third-round pick in 2022.
Dubois and Laine have been heavily linked since the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. That year, Laine was selected second overall by Winnipeg, while Dubois was taken with the next pick by Columbus.
Today’s trade changes the landscape of both franchises.
With Laine, the Blue Jackets receive a 40-goal scorer with potential to reach higher numbers in his prime. And for the Jets, they have a nice 1-2 C combo between Dubois and Mark Scheifele.
According to Elliotte Friedman, Calgary and Montreal were other NHL teams who pitched trade offers to the Blue Jackets.
Turning attention to Roslovic, the 23-year-old restricted free agent agreed to a two-year contract with the Blue Jackets on Saturday. He is a native of Columbus and will have a better opportunity to crack the two-top lines after failing to do so in Winnipeg.
Of course, the ultimate goal is to win the Stanley Cup and both teams are rather low on the betting boards. Even with today’s trade, you’ll find the Blue Jackets and Jets in the middle of the pack for Stanley Cup odds.
According to 888Sport, the Blue Jackets are listed at +4000 to win the Stanley Cup, while the Winnipeg Jets are listed at +3300.
It will take weeks for both Laine and Dubois to hit the ice with their new clubs. Following the NHL’s two-week protocol of self-isolation, then Dubois and Laine will be able to join their new teams.
Dubois was most recently benched by John Tortorella for a lack of effort on the ice. Laine was placed on Injured Reserve Friday and has only played in one game so far this season.
The Jets take on the Ottawa Senators Saturday evening, while the Blue Jackets have a matinee contest against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
