The Columbus Blue Jackets acquired the right wing Patrik Laine of the All-Star and the Jack Roslovic center of the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for the center Pierre-Luc Dubois and a third round pick in the NHL Draft 2022, club general manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced today. The team also announced that it had made a deal with Roslovic, a restricted free agent, on a two-year, $ 3.8 million ($ 1.9 million AAV) contract through the 2021-22 season.
“Strengthening our lineup offensively has been a priority for us and the additions of Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic accomplish just that,” said Kekalainen. “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 excited to bring him home in Columbus like a blue jacket. “
Laine, 22, recorded 140 goals and 110 assists for 250 points, including 52-33-85 in power play, and 118 minutes of penalty in 306 NHL games since he was selected by Winnipeg as second overall choice in Draft 2016 of the NHL. He received 2-1-3 at the opening of the Winnipeg season against Calgary, but lost the last three games due to an upper body injury. He was placed in the Wounded Reserve on Friday retroactive to January 14 and is considered to be day to day.
The 6-5 and 206-pound winger scored 28 or more goals and 50 or more points in each of his four NHL seasons. He received honors from the NHL All-Rookie team and made his debut in the All-Star Game in 2016-17, accumulating 36-28-64 and 26 minutes of penalty in 73 games. The following season, he set records in his career in goals, points and power play goals with 44-26-70, 20 power play goals and 24 minutes of penalty in 82 disputes. In 2018-19, he won 30-20-50 and 15 minutes of penalty in 82 games and last season set a career record with assists with 28-35-63 and 22 minutes of penalty in 68 games. In the Stanley Cup playoffs, he scored 8-8-16 and four minutes from a penalty in 24 games.
Born in Tampere, Finland, Laine represented his country in several international competitions, including the 2016 Junior World Hockey Championship, where he collected 7-6-13 in seven matches and took Finland to the gold medal. In the same year, he helped his country win the silver medal at the World Championship, earning the honors of Best Striker and Most Valuable Player after scoring 7-5-12 in 10 games. He also appeared in three games at the 2016 Hockey World Cup tournament.
FULL PATRIK LAINE STATS
Roslovic, 23, recorded a 26-41-67 and 18 minute penalty with a +6 plus / minus score in 180 NHL games since he was selected by the Jets in the first round, 25th overall, in the 2015 Draft NHL. After making his NHL debut against the Blue Jackets in his hometown on April 6, 2017, he split the 2017-18 campaign between Winnipeg and Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League before graduating to the NHL the following season.
In 2018-19, Roslovic scored 9-15-24 and four minutes of penalty in 77 games and won his first career hat-trick with three power play goals against Anaheim on February 2, 2019. Last season, he received 12-17- 29 and 12 minutes of penalty in 71 matches. He added 0-5-5 and a two-minute penalty in 20 career postseason games.
Roslovic played for the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets U14 team in 2011-12 and for the U16 and U18 teams in 2012-13 before spending two seasons with the 2013-15 United States National Team Development Program. He played a season at the University of Miami in 2015-16 and scored 10-16-26 with an 18-minute penalty in 36 games to earn the honors of the NCHC All-Rookie Team. He made his professional debut with Manitoba in 2016-17, registering 13-35-48 and 22 minutes of penalty in 65 AHL disputes. The 6-1 and 187 pound center represented the US team at the Junior IIHF and Under-18 World Championships and the Junior IIHF World Championship 2017, winning gold medals in each tournament.
FULL JACK ROSLOVIC STATS
Dubois, 22, was selected by the Blue Jackets with the third overall choice in the 2016 NHL Draft. Since joining the club in 2017, he has recorded 66-93-159 and 164 minutes of penalty in 239 career games, including a career record of 27-34-61 and 64 minutes of penalty in 82 games in 2018-19 . He added 8-11-19 and a 24-minute penalty in 26 career playoff matches.
“Pierre-Luc has been an important part of our team for the past four seasons, but this was the right time for both sides to go in a different direction,” said Kekalainen.
The Blue Jackets are back in action today when they receive the Tampa Bay Lightning. Playing time at the Nationwide Arena is 2 pm Eastern time. The game will be broadcast live on FOX Sports Ohio and on the FOX Sports Go app, with coverage starting at 1:30 pm with the pre-game program “Blue Jackets Live”. The contest will also be broadcast live nationally on the NHL Network. It will also be broadcast on the Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs Blue Jackets Radio Network, including CD92.9 FM.