Two hot takes. 2 wrong takes.
No way else to put it. I had both Patrik Laine and James Harden staying with the Winnipeg Jets and Houston Rockets respectively.
Two block buster trades later and Laine now part of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Harden is with the Brooklyn Nets.
Laine on the move
I’m pretty shocked. I felt the Jets had made an effort to please Laine in bringing Paul Statsny back into the fold. Laine had a completely monster first game scoring 2 goals and an assist and got into a tussle. Shortly after he sat out the next few games and its hard to know exactly what went on but what ended up happening was a monster trade in a unique situation.
3 disgruntled players switched teams. Both Laine and quick handed Jack Roslovic were exchanged for Pierre-Luc Dubois and a third rounder. The Jets also are paying part of Laine’s salary for the rest of his contract. To me this is a huge cost for the jets. Roslovic has been a productive player whos just getting into his prime. The Jets had to add cash to do the deal, and finally they had to ship out the player who in my opinion has the best shot in all of hockey now and possible ever.
The Jets did well to get a a player of Dubois quality back and he should fit in nicely with the Jets.
Laine now in Columbus. There’s already been questions about how he will coexist with coach John Tortorella. Hopefully he gets a chance to put more of his talents on display but I question how long he’ll stay as he seems destined for a large market team.
Harden to the Nets
To me the Brooklyn didn’t seem like a fit. But it ended up Harden wanted out of Houston enough and was more interested in giving himself the best change of winning now. His stats have taken a dip but it doesn’t seem to be the as big as I’d expected. The Nets first results have been mixed but we all know their real focus comes at the end of the season. This team is built to win now.
o for 2. Not a great start. But these types of block buster early season trades are very rare. It may be a sign of how sports leagues are now. Players look to have more control over the career paths (as they should). Both Laine and Harden are premiere talents. What happens next is still unknown. But I’m ready to go 0 for 3!
