Could Patrik Laine Be a Smart Deadline Play for the Flames?
Ten years ago, Patrik Laine was the kind of prospect NHL teams dream about. Drafted second overall in 2016, the Finnish winger came into the league with a booming shot, a scorer’s mentality, and comparisons to none other than Alex Ovechkin. Fast forward to 2026, and both Laine and the Calgary Flames find themselves in very different places than they hoped they’d be a decade ago.
Now, with the Montreal Canadiens reportedly open to moving Laine ahead of the trade deadline, the question becomes: should the Flames be the team to take a swing?
Let’s dig into why this might actually make a lot of sense for Calgary.
Laine’s Journey: From Teenage Phenom to Trade Candidate
Laine’s rise to stardom wasn’t just hype-it was earned. He tore up Finland’s Liiga as a teenager, putting up 17 goals and 33 points in 46 games with Tappara Tampere, and then led the team with 10 goals in 18 playoff games en route to a championship.
On the international stage, he was just as electric. At the 2016 World Juniors, he tied Auston Matthews with seven goals and added six assists, playing a crucial role in Finland’s gold medal win over Russia.
When he entered the NHL with the Winnipeg Jets, Laine wasted no time showing off his elite scoring ability. He hit the 30-goal mark as a rookie and followed that up with a 44-goal sophomore campaign. For a while, it looked like the Jets had found their franchise sniper.
But after a strong start, Laine’s production began to dip. Injuries started piling up, and his consistency wavered.
After a 28-goal, 63-point season in 2019-20, he was dealt to Columbus early the next year. Since then, he hasn’t played more than 60 games in a season.
The talent is still there, but availability has become a real concern.
Last offseason, the Blue Jackets sent Laine to Montreal along with a 2026 second-round pick in exchange for defenseman Jordan Harris. Laine had a solid showing with the Canadiens last year, scoring 20 goals in 52 games-including a lethal 15 goals on the power play-but he’s only appeared in five games this season due to injury.
Why Montreal Might Be Ready to Move On
On paper, it seems odd that the Canadiens would want to move a proven scorer like Laine, especially with their power play among the league’s best and the playoffs within reach. If healthy, he could be a game-changer down the stretch.
But there are two big factors working against him: injuries and money.
Laine’s injury history is extensive. He’s already landed on injured reserve twice as a Hab, and the idea of counting on him for a long playoff run feels risky. Montreal needs players it can rely on to be available when it matters most.
Then there’s the cap situation. Laine is in the final year of his deal, carrying an $8.7 million cap hit.
The Canadiens are tight against the ceiling, and if they want to make any deadline upgrades, they’ll have to move salary. Laine’s expiring deal makes him a cleaner cap casualty than someone like Brendan Gallagher ($6.5M) or Josh Anderson ($5.5M), both of whom are signed through next season.
In short: moving Laine frees up space and reduces risk, even if it means parting with a weapon on the man advantage.
Why Calgary Should Be Listening
Here’s where things get interesting.
The Flames are in the midst of a roster reset-not a full rebuild, but definitely a recalibration. They’ve got over $30 million in projected cap space, and with Jonathan Huberdeau out for an extended period, there’s room on the roster for a top-six winger.
Laine, even with his baggage, fits the bill.
This isn’t about making a playoff push. It’s about asset management.
If Montreal wants to move Laine, they’ll likely need to attach a sweetener-whether that’s retaining salary, adding a draft pick, or both. Calgary has the cap room to take on Laine’s full $8.7 million and could use that leverage to extract a valuable asset in return.
Think of it as a strategic play: absorb an expiring contract, give Laine a chance to re-establish his value in a low-pressure environment, and in exchange, add a high pick or prospect to the Flames’ growing pool of future talent.
It’s the kind of move that makes sense for a team in transition. Use the cap space now to build for later.
The Bottom Line
Laine may not be the elite sniper he once looked destined to be, but the shot is still there. The offensive instincts haven’t vanished. If he can stay healthy-and yes, that’s a big if-he could provide a short-term boost for the Flames and potentially set himself up for a new deal, either in Calgary or elsewhere.
But the real prize here isn’t Laine himself-it’s what comes attached. If the Canadiens are willing to pay to move his contract, the Flames should absolutely be picking up the phone.
Cap space is an asset. Craig Conroy and the Flames front office have the chance to weaponize it at the deadline. Laine’s contract could be the perfect opportunity to do just that.