When the Montreal Canadiens took a swing on Patrik Laine, it was the kind of move that made sense on paper: low risk, potentially high reward. A former 40-goal scorer with a shot that still turns heads, Laine arrived from Columbus with the hope that a change of scenery might reignite the spark.
But now, months later, the conversation has shifted. It’s no longer about what Laine could be in Montreal - it’s about whether he fits there at all.
Another Season Derailed by Injury
Laine’s 2025-26 campaign never really got out of the gate. After just five games, a core muscle injury sent him to the sidelines - again.
It’s become a frustrating pattern for the 28-year-old winger. The talent is still there, but the body hasn’t consistently cooperated.
Whether it’s been upper-body, lower-body, or now core-related, injuries have robbed Laine of the rhythm and continuity players need to thrive, especially in a system that demands structure and pace.
The Canadiens, to their credit, have found a way to stay competitive in his absence. Roles have shifted, younger players have stepped up, and the lineup has started to find some identity.
That’s part of the challenge now: when Laine returns, where does he fit? And more importantly, can Montreal afford to keep planning around a player who has struggled to stay on the ice year after year?
The Fit Just Hasn’t Been There
Even when healthy, Laine’s time in Montreal has been underwhelming. On paper, 20 goals in 52 games last season isn’t bad.
But dig a little deeper, and the picture gets murkier. A good chunk of that production came on the power play, where his one-timer from the left circle is still a legitimate threat.
At even strength, though, he’s struggled to make an impact.
Laine hasn’t looked like a player who drives play. His skating hasn’t kept up with the Canadiens’ up-tempo style, and his defensive game hasn’t earned him trust in key five-on-five minutes. On a team built around pace, forechecking, and two-way responsibility, Laine has often looked like the odd man out.
The trade that brought him in - Jordan Harris going to Columbus in exchange for Laine and a second-round pick - was viewed at the time as a reasonable gamble. Columbus was shedding salary, and Montreal was hoping to unlock some offensive upside. But now, with Laine sidelined again and his five-on-five game still stuck in neutral, the return on investment is looking more and more like a short-term flyer that didn’t pan out.
No Clear Role in the Lineup
And here’s where things get really tricky. Even if Laine gets healthy in time for the stretch run, there’s no obvious place for him in the lineup.
The second line is clicking. There’s chemistry there, and the Canadiens have no reason to mess with it.
As for the top line with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, that door seems closed too. Montreal has tried different looks on that line, but Laine’s lack of five-on-five consistency makes him a tough fit alongside their two best forwards.
That leaves the bottom six - and that’s arguably an even worse fit. Laine doesn’t bring the defensive reliability or physical edge typically expected from those roles.
He’s not a grinder, not a penalty killer, and not the type of energy guy you want logging limited minutes in a checking role. And paying a premium for a player to fill a role that doesn’t suit his strengths?
That’s not a recipe for success - for the player or the team.
So where does that leave him? Right now, Laine is a top-six winger without a top-six spot, and not the kind of all-around player who can adapt to a different role. It’s a roster puzzle that doesn’t have a clean solution.
Trade Deadline Looming
Which brings us to the trade deadline. Laine is set to hit unrestricted free agency this summer, and the Canadiens have some decisions to make.
If he gets healthy and flashes even a bit of that scoring touch before the deadline, there’s a world where a contending team takes a flyer - especially if Montreal is willing to eat some of the remaining salary. The return would likely be minimal, but it would at least clear the books and the roster.
There’s also the possibility that the Canadiens look to move him simply to gain flexibility, even if it means getting little or nothing back. Sometimes, addition by subtraction is the cleanest path forward.
The End of the Road?
Right now, Laine’s time in Montreal feels like it’s winding down. The injuries, the lack of fit, the evolution of the roster without him - it’s all pointing in one direction. What started as a calculated gamble is looking more like a short-term experiment that’s run its course.
Laine still has the shot. He still has the pedigree.
But in Montreal, the pieces just haven’t come together. The Canadiens are moving forward, and unless something changes quickly, it looks like they’ll be doing it without him.