The city of Columbus should be having a parade after winning the Johnny Gaudreau sweepstakes in the offseason. Unsurprisingly, Columbus Blue Jackets star forward Patrik Laine is also on a high following Johnny Hockey's decision to sign with the team. When he got the news that Gaudreau has inked a deal with the Blue Jackets, the Finnish star barely managed to get it together.

Via Brian Hedger of The Columbus Dispatch:

“Laine said he didn't believe his friend who told him about the Gaudreau signing while they prepared for an early-morning flight to Spain. When he saw his phone, though, he could barely hold it in his hands because he couldn't believe it.”

The Columbus Blue Jackets missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the 2021-22 NHL season, but the addition of Gaudreau definitely makes them a much more dangerous team in the eyes of the rest of the league. Gaudreau is an excellent shot-creator for himself and for his teammates, as evidenced by the fact that he is just coming off a season in which he posted 115 points on the strength of 40 goals and 75 assists. His decision to go to Columbus shocked the hockey world and, apparently, even Patrik Laine, who is rightfully ecstatic.

Via Jeff Svoboda of BlueJackets.com:

“I couldn’t be more excited right now. Like I said to Lars and Jarmo when they signed Johnny (Gaudreau), I told them I don't think I've ever been this excited to play hockey and maybe be able to play with this kind of guy.”