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patrik laine latest player to be given a fresh start by canadiens' gm
"we’re looking for people that want to be part of something and part of what we’re trying to do," kent hughes says.
aug 20 2024
4 minute read
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patrik laine has joined the list of players given a fresh start with the canadiens since kent hughes took over as general manager three years ago.
laine joins the list that includes sean monahan , kirby dach and alex newhook — all acquired in trades by hughes with the hope a change of scenery and playing for head coach martin st. louis would give their careers a boost.
hughes acquired laine from the columbus blue jackets on monday, along with a second-round pick at the 2026 nhl draft, in exchange for defenceman jordan harris.
the 26-year-old laine played only 18 games with columbus last season, scoring six goals, before suffering a broken left clavicle during a game in mid-december that required surgery. laine hasn’t played since and in january he entered the nhl/nhlpa player assistance program while dealing with mental-health issues.
“from the outset, we’ve talked a lot about culture and what we’re trying to build in montreal,” hughes said in a video conference after monday’s trade was announced. “how we try to treat the players and everybody that works within the organization and what we expect in return from everybody that works or plays for the montreal canadiens and the part that they have to do to contribute to that culture and we spoke to patrik about that.
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“we’re looking for people that want to be part of something and part of what we’re trying to do,” hughes added. “it’s not for me, it’s not for jeff gorton (the executive vice-president of hockey operations), it’s not for geoff molson (the team owner and president) — it’s not for any one player — it’s for all of us as an organization and patrik left us with the impression that he wanted to be part of that.”
bientôt dans un aréna près de chez vous
— canadiens montréal (@canadiensmtl) august 20, 2024
coming 🔜 to an arena near you#gohabsgo pic.twitter.com/eifwhjxiev
hughes was a longtime player agent before becoming gm of the canadiens. he gave credit to his coaching staff for creating an environment to give players like laine a fresh start and added that it starts from the top with molson.
“this is the first time that i’ve worked on the team side, so it’s my first organization,” hughes said. “but i’ve dealt with every team over my career as an agent. the personal touch that geoff demonstrates on so many different levels. every player that we trade away, he picks up the phone and calls, and every player that comes in. i didn’t represent a lot of players that lived that experience. so i think it really starts from the top that we have an environment here where people feel like they’re part of something. they feel valued. they understand that being part of something means you have responsibility that comes with it. ultimately, more than anything else, that comes from our coaching staff and having good people that want to be part of a team and good leadership. that’s important to us and that was discussed with patrik. we’re confident and hopeful that he will come here and he will add to that.”
laine said in a video conference monday that he’s fully healthy now, both physically and mentally, and is “still absolutely ripping the puck (with his shot), so no issues there.” he’s also looking forward to being back in a canadian market after starting his career with the winnipeg jets, who selected him with the no. 2 overall pick at the 2016 nhl draft.
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“i kind of lived that in winnipeg of how crazy hockey is in canada and now, obviously, going to montreal it will be even crazier,” said laine, who scored a career-high 44 goals with the jets in 2017-18.
“i think they have a good thing going over there,” he added about the canadiens. “great organization, really good head coach, a lot of young talent and i feel like i’m at that point in my career where i can kind of guide these young guys since i’ve been around for a few years now and kind of seen a lot of things. so hopefully be helpful in the locker room and, obviously, on the ice and bring my expertise and bring the (stanley) cup to montreal. that’s kind of my goal for now.”
blue jackets gm don waddell gave hughes permission to speak with laine before the trade was completed.
“he just seemed like a super-nice guy,” laine said about hughes. “i don’t think there was much to be said in that sense that i needed convincing to come to montreal. it’s the biggest hockey market there is. i’ve played in canada before and i loved every minute of it. i missed being back there where hockey’s the no. 1 thing and people really generally care about the team and the players.
“i really wanted to go to montreal,” laine added. “i know the city and how much they care about the team, how passionate the fans are. for some people it might not be the easiest place to go, but i’ve always liked being in the spotlight on the ice and i feel like when there’s a lot of pressure, in those times i’ve usually always been at my best. i’m going into the challenge with open arms and i’m super-excited about that opportunity that i’m getting here.”
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laine will also get a new number in montreal since the no. 29 he has worn since entering the nhl has been retired by the canadiens in honour of hall of fame goalie ken dryden. laine will now wear no. 92 with the canadiens.
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