“Extending Patrik Lain’s contract was one of our priorities this summer. He is an integral part of the team we are building in Columbus,” said Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen.
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Columbus acquired Laine in January 2021 in a trade from Winnipeg, which selected the Tampere native second overall in the 2016 draft. Last season, Laine collected 56 points (26+30) in 56 games and has a total of 327 points in the NHL (176 +151) in 407 games.
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To make room for Laine, Columbus traded forward Oliver Bjorkstrand to Seattle on Friday for third- and fourth-round draft picks in 2023. The 27-year-old Dane has played for the Blue Jackets since 2016, improving to a career-high 28 goals last season and 57 points from 80 games.
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