Two of the top three picks in the 2016 NHL draft traded places Saturday in a blockbuster deal between Columbus and Winnipeg.
The Blue Jackets sent disgruntled center Pierre-Luc Dubois and a third-round pick to the Jets for right wing Patrik Laine and center Jack Roslovic, according to multiple reports.
The move comes just 48 hours after Dubois was benched by former Rangers coach John Tortorella in an overtime loss to the Lightning.
The 22-year-old French Canadian requested a trade from Columbus following a drawn-out negotiation process that resulted in the restricted free agent signing a two-year contract worth $5 million.
Dubois, the former third-overall pick, led Columbus with 18 goals and 31 assists last year and was the third overall pick in the 2016 draft.
But Dubois scored one goal through the first five games and appeared lackadaisical at times, which led to his benching Thursday.
“I definitely have to be better,” Dubois told reporters Friday.
The 22-year-old Laine has been the subject of trade rumors over the last couple years despite notching an impressive 140 goals in 306 games.
The Finland native was the second pick in 2016 and is in the second year of a two-year, $13.5 million contract.
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