In a stunning move on Monday, the Montreal Canadiens shook up the hockey world by acquiring the sharpshooting Patrik Laine from the Columbus Blue Jackets, along with a valuable second-round pick, in exchange for defenceman Jordan Harris. The trade sent shockwaves through the league and instantly had fans buzzing with excitement.
But it wasn’t just the fans who were thrilled about the acquisition of the 2016 No. 2 overall pick. Canadiens forward Juraj Slafkovsky, currently on the NHL European Player Media Tour, couldn’t contain his excitement about playing alongside Laine.
“I’m excited about the season, especially with the Patrik Laine trade,” Slafkovsky shared in an exclusive interview with NHL.com. “During the summer, you wonder how things are going to play out during the year, who you’ll be playing with, and what your role will be. I can’t wait to get out there and start competing.”
Slafkovsky, who recently signed an eight-year, $60.8 million extension after an impressive season with 20 goals and 50 points in 82 games, remembers being a fan of Laine since his teenage years.
“I landed in Prague and saw the news on my phone. I was ecstatic,” Slafkovsky reminisced. “I was around 13 or 14 at the time of the 2016 draft, eagerly waiting to see if Laine or Matthews would be the first pick. I was a big fan of his even back then.”
With Laine now part of the Canadiens forward unit, which includes stars like Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, the team looks poised for success. Additionally, Kirby Dach, the talented No. 2 center, is ready to make a strong comeback after missing most of the previous season due to an ACL injury.
As the Canadiens gear up for the upcoming season, the addition of Patrik Laine has injected a new level of excitement and anticipation among fans and players alike. With a dynamic lineup and high expectations, Montreal could be a team to watch out for in the upcoming season.
