Significant twist regarding Patrik Laine trade as one contender gets involved!

Last month, it was confirmed that the Columbus Blue Jackets and Patrik Laine were mutually working together to trade the forward. Laine’s agent approached the Blue Jackets about a move both sides are gonna work together to try and get that done as Laine, who missed the end of the 2023-24 season after he entered the player assistance program on Jan. 28, wants a fresh start.

But that fresh start won’t happen until he lands in a new destination and it was reported last week by team insider Aaron Portzline that a trade was hard to pull at this time since Laine remains in the NHL player’s assistance program, and while technically he can be moved, teams cannot speak to him while he attends the program. Clubs aren’t at ease with the idea of not having a conversation with the star forward before pulling the trigger on a trade, which is expected to delay any transaction.

Unless the Montreal Canadiens are involved.

The Habs got a serious advantage on Tuesday when they hired former Blue Jackets head coach Pascal Vincent as the new bench boss of their AHL farm club the Laval Rocket.

Vincent not only coached Laine in Columbus, but also saw him evolve in Winnipeg before the Jets sent him to the Blue Jackets in a monster trade.

While the Habs can get inside information on Laine via Vincent, player agent David Ettedgui claims that the relationship between Laine and Vincent isn’t sunshine and rainbows, which could deter the Canadiens from acquiring the Finnish forward.

Several contenders have been mentioned as possible landing spot for the former second overall pick in 2016, including the Canadiens, but also the Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes and Chicago Blackhawks. However, Laine remains in the program and would need to consider his recovery and well-ness in his next destination. Laine is working with the Blue Jackets since he has a 10-team no-trade list on the two years he has left on his contract with an $8.7-million cap hit.

At this point, you also have to wonder if the Canadiens will decide not to pursue Laine any more.

In just the 18 games he played with Columbus this past season, Laine recorded six goals and nine points. He was sidelined for nine contests due to a concussion in October before sustaining a broken clavicle on Dec. 14 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.