It’s rare for a single trade to reshape the fortunes of an entire franchise, but in Montreal, the echoes of a blockbuster deal from last year are still reverberating through the Bell Centre.

As the dust settles on one of the most talked-about transactions in recent memory, fans and analysts alike are left marveling at how Kent Hughes managed to pull off a move that not only brought star winger Patrik Laine to the Canadiens, but also delivered an unexpected twist to the playoff race.

The full impact of this trade is still unfolding, and its ripple effects have reached far beyond the initial headlines. While the Blue Jackets were left scrambling to recover from their decision, Montreal found themselves celebrating not just a new addition to their lineup, but a crucial playoff berth that might never have happened without this strategic masterstroke.

But what really happened behind the scenes? How did one deal manage to tip the scales so dramatically—and what does it mean for the future of both franchises?

With rumors swirling and Kent Hughes’ reputation growing, the hockey world is watching closely for his next move. The answers, and the story behind this game-changing trade, are more surprising than you might think.

Mar 22, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens right wing Patrik Laine (92) shoots the puck against the Colorado Avalanche in the first period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

In the last few hours, the excellent David Ettedgui revisited this major trade completed between the Canadiens and the Blue Jackets.

It was almost exactly a year ago, day for day, that Kent Hughes acquired forward Patrik Laine and a second-round draft pick in exchange for young defenseman Jordan Harris.

A year later, there is absolutely nothing left from this trade for the Jackets.

Jordan Harris signed a one-year contract this summer with the Boston Bruins as a free agent, meaning he left the Jackets, and they received absolutely nothing in return.

The Patrik Laine trade has become a true home run for the Montreal Canadiens

Not only do the Canadiens still have Laine today, along with a high draft pick (from this trade), while the Jackets have nothing left, but it’s probably the very deal that allowed the Canadiens to make the playoffs.

The Blue Jackets were just two points shy of stealing the Habs’ playoff spot, so imagine if they had Patrik Laine last season (and the Habs didn’t).

That could have changed everything.

“By trading Laine and a second-round pick in 2026, Columbus didn’t just do the Canadiens a favor. Through an unexpected ripple effect, the Blue Jackets sacrificed their own playoff spot last year. Without the points contributed by Laine, the Canadiens would not have made the playoffs, and it was the Blue Jackets, with only a two-point deficit, who would have secured the final ticket.

This trade cost Columbus dearly. In addition to losing a productive player and a high draft pick, the team gave up playoff revenue and the valuable development of its young players in the heat of playoff action.” – David Ettedgui

Say what you will about Laine and his contract (even though personally, I love what I’ve seen from him this summer), this trade will remain a stroke of genius from Kent Hughes.

Making the playoffs was huge for this young group!

I can’t wait to see if Kent Hughes has another little trick up his sleeve before the start of training camp, just like he’s done every year (in August) since he was hired as GM of the Montreal Canadiens.