Trade Analysis: Patrik Laine is still a special talent and a worthwhile gamble for the Montréal Canadiens

Usually when former 40-plus goal-scores hit the trade market, there's a lot of excitement and wishcasting across the NHL. Trade proposals fly left and right, fan excitement rises, and this buzz endures through the offseason until the trade is consummated.

That really wasn't the case for Patrik Laine this offseason, though. Not to the usual degree for a player with his track record and pedigree, even if he's not quite what he used to be.

Attached to a hefty $8.7-million cap charge for another two seasons, Laine was always going to be a challenging asset for the Columbus Blue Jackets to move. Few teams could accommodate such a salary at this point in the offseason, right at the dawn of training camp.

One team could though: Enter the Montréal Canadiens. 

They had the cap space, and because of it,