With the NHL now on pause for the Olympic break and the trade freeze in effect since February 4, all eyes in Montreal are turning to one of the team’s biggest question marks: Patrik Laine. The 27-year-old winger, who’s been limited to just five games this season following core muscle surgery, remains with the Canadiens-for now. But the writing on the wall is getting harder to ignore.
Laine has been skating regularly in practice, but he wasn’t cleared to return to game action before the break. And while he’s been sidelined, the Canadiens’ offense has taken off.
Montreal currently ranks second in the league in goals scored, and they’ve done it without their $8.7 million sniper. That kind of production without Laine shifts his role from potential difference-maker to potential cap casualty.
The Canadiens have been shopping his name around, but they’re not in a hurry to move him just for the sake of it. According to league sources, Montreal isn’t willing to attach an asset to sweeten the deal, even with the possibility of retaining up to 50% of his salary. That would bring his cap hit down to around $4.35 million for the rest of the season-an intriguing number for any contender looking for scoring help.
But GM Kent Hughes isn’t just looking to clear space. He’s looking to make a move that matters.
If Laine’s contract is moved, it’ll likely be to open the door for a more impactful addition to the Canadiens’ top six. The organization is reportedly eyeing a winger-or a hybrid forward who can play both wing and center-to bolster their playoff push.
And with Laine’s deal expiring, the flexibility it could provide is valuable.
TSN’s Chris Johnston framed it well: the Canadiens won’t move Laine unless they’ve got something else lined up. Right now, that next piece isn’t in place. So the situation remains fluid.
Still, the interest in Laine is real. Nick Kypreos recently described him as a “freebie with upside”-a low-risk, high-reward option for a team looking to juice its offense heading into the postseason.
Even teams outside the playoff bubble could see value in acquiring him now, testing the fit, and potentially re-signing him in the summer. Kypreos floated the Oilers and Maple Leafs as possible landing spots.
Edmonton, in particular, could be a fascinating fit-especially if a deal involves someone like Andrew Mangiapane going the other way.
But here’s the catch: Laine isn’t a plug-and-play guy. His value lies primarily on the power play.
That’s where he’s most dangerous, and that’s where he made his mark last season with 20 goals in 52 games-helping push Montreal into the playoffs. If a team doesn’t have a clear role for him in that unit, the fit could be awkward.
A team like the Oilers, already stacked on the man advantage, would need to be strategic about how they use him.
For the Canadiens, the decision isn’t just about Laine’s on-ice ability-it’s about timing and chemistry. The team is rolling offensively.
Disrupting that momentum with an ill-fitting return or a rushed trade doesn’t make sense. But if Hughes can find the right partner, the right return, and the right opportunity, Laine could be on the move.
The clock is ticking. Montreal has the Olympic break to work the phones and two more weeks after that before the March 6 deadline. Laine may still be wearing the bleu-blanc-rouge for now, but it’s starting to feel like his time in Montreal is nearing the end.