If the NHL allows players and franchises to include no-move and no-trade clauses in contracts, that’s for a reason. Ask Patrik Laine and the Columbus Blue Jackets, who seemingly put them in use before reaching a deal to send the forward the the Montreal Canadiens. According to NHL insider Renaud Lavoie, speaking on BPM Sports’ Le Club du Matin on August 26, Laine’s recent move to the Habs Canadiens came after he vetoed a move to another franchise that had seemingly reached an agreement for a trade with the Blue Jackets.

“Yes, there were other teams interested. Laine asked for a trade, as most people know,” Lavoie said. “[Laine] apparently refused an offer [from another team] before the Canadiens’ one came in.” Although Lavoie did not disclose the identity of the team Laine declined to accept a trade to, he confirmed that the winger had listed 10 teams on his no-trade list, effectively giving him some say in his next destination. The Canadiens were not among the teams he vetoed, indicating it was a place he was eager to play, and ultimately moving to Montreal in a transaction made official on August 19.

“It’s a place he wanted to play,” Lavoie said about Laine’s arrival in Montreal. The trade saw Montreal send defenseman Jordan Harris and a second-round pick to Columbus. In return, they landed Laine and provided the Blue Jackets with significant cap relief by offloading Laine’s $8.7 million cap hit over the next two seasons, as Columbus won’t retain any money from the forward’s contract. Laine, who entered the NHL/NHL Players’ Association Player Assistance Program earlier this year, has struggled with injuries and a dip in production, playing just 18 games last season and recording 6 goals and 9 points.

Those issues have been linked to the sudden and unexpected death of his father in 2021.