Happy Third Anniversary To The Laine/Roslovic/Dubois Trade
It's been three years since the Laine/Dubois trade, and it's constantly argued that neither got what they wanted. I would say the Jets got the short end of the stick since they ended up losing PLD in the end. It seems he didn't want to be in Columbus or Winnipeg.
Since the trade, Laine has signed a 4-year deal through 2026. Jack Roslovic was signed through the 23-24 season and will be a UFA after this season. There are consistent trade rumors revolving around him based on his contract status, and it seems that Columbus won't re-sign him, especially at what he's making now.
Pierre-Luc Dubois was traded to the LA Kings in the summer of 2023 and was promptly signed to an 8-year, $68 million contract. Fans all over the league were blown away by this contract. And so far this season, he hasn't produced, even though he's played in all 44 games for the Kings. He has 19 points.
So how have the players done since the trade? Let's take a look.
Patrik Laine - 174GP | 64G-74A-138P | 38 PP Points | .79 PPG - Laine has dealt with multiple injuries during his time with Columbus. Hyperextended elbow, sprained ankle, concussion, and a broken clavicle to name a few. There's no doubt that when he's healthy, he's a threat to score with his lethal shot, but the Jackets need him on the ice. His luck with injuries is disheartening.
Jack Roslovic - 229GP | 47G-86A-133P | 28 PP Points | .58 PPG - Roslovic has been up and down during his time with Columbus. When he's on his game, he's very noticeable and can make some great plays. But when he's cold, he's very cold. Two seasons ago when Boone Jenner went down with a bad back, Roslovic stepped in and took off, finishing the season with 26 goals and 56 points, with many of those coming in the final 2 months of the season. If Roslovic could put it all together, he could do some damage.
Pierre-Luc Dubois - 239GP | 72G-90A-162P | 50 PP Points | .67 PPG - Winnipeg & Kings Combined - PLD did some damage during his first few years in Columbus, netting 158 points in his first three seasons, and setting the CBJ rookie scoring record. but suddenly he didn't want to play for Columbus anymore and instead chose to "mail it in", in the now infamous shift that led to his trade to Winnipeg. Since that trade, he's sitting at 162 points in the 3+ years he's been gone. It's safe to say that LA isn't getting their money's worth yet this season.
Will both teams end up without the players involved in this trade at some point? PLD is already gone, Roslovic seems to be in a lame-duck season, and Laine can't seem to stay healthy. I don't think GM Jarmo Kekalainen would ever give up on Patrik Laine, but should there be a front office change this off-season, that could change in a heartbeat. Laine still has a lot of good years in him, and can still be really good, he's just got to shake off this injury spell he's been on. He makes over $8 million a season and needs to be on the ice.
Who won this trade? The answer is Columbus for now, but only because PLD has moved on from Winnipeg. In a few years though, this trade could be like it never happened.
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