Patrik Laine’s name is back in the mix in Ottawa, and it started with a reported sighting at the airport.
Laine is still unsigned, but a reported trip to Ottawa in early November has fueled fresh chatter about a possible fit with the Senators. The report says he spent the offseason training in Florida, and there’s no confirmation the Ottawa visit had anything to do with hockey.
Even so, the speculation has taken off. Senators fans are naturally paying attention, and Canadiens fans have plenty of reason to do the same with Ottawa sitting in the same Atlantic Division race.
Montreal is 9-3-3 and second in the division, just ahead of Ottawa at 10-6-1.
The Laine-Senators link isn’t coming out of nowhere, either. Ottawa general manager Steve Staios reportedly looked into signing him, and there were offseason discussions between the team and Laine’s representatives.
The appeal is obvious. Ottawa’s power play has been a problem all season, ranking 30th in the NHL at 12.5 percent. The Senators have scored just eight times on 64 opportunities.
That’s exactly the kind of area where Laine can change the conversation. His left-circle one-timer is the sort of weapon that can tilt a man-advantage in a hurry.
He’d also be stepping into a lineup with real support around him. Tim Stutzle has 22 points in 17 games, and Drake Batherson has 18 points over that same span.
Ottawa is also dealing with the absence of William Eklund, who was placed on injured reserve after appearing in just four games this season. Laine could help patch some of that scoring gap.
So the idea is simple enough: if Laine lands in Ottawa, the Senators get a major fix for their biggest weakness, and the Canadiens get one more dangerous division rival to deal with.
For now, though, it’s still just a reported airport sighting and a lot of noise. Montreal hosts Utah tonight, Ottawa gets the same opponent Saturday, and Laine’s next move remains up in the air.
In Other News...
Canadiens Linked To Defenseman Who Could Reshape Their Blue Line
Simon Edvinssons name has started to circulate in Montreal for all the right reasons, at least from a roster-building standpoint. The Detroit Red Wings defenseman remains unsigned, and reports from The Fourth Period have put the Canadiens in the mix as teams around the league monitor the situation. For a Montreal blue line that has been a constant point of evaluation, a young left-shot defenseman with size and upside is the kind of player that naturally draws attention.
Nothing is close to being settled, and there is no trade in place, but the fit is easy to understand from the Canadiens side. Montreal has been linked to Edvinsson as it looks at ways to strengthen and reshape its defense, and any move involving a player of his profile would carry real implications for how the group is built going forward. For now, it is just a name to watch, but it is one that could linger as the situation develops. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Suddenly Have A Dylan Larkin Question To Watch
A new wrinkle has landed on the Canadiens radar, and it comes from outside Montreals own front office. According to Elliotte Friedman, Dylan Larkin is considering revising his trade list, which immediately puts Montreal in a conversation it was not necessarily expecting to have this soon. For now, nothing official has changed and no trade talks have started, but the possibility alone is enough to make this one worth monitoring.
Montreal is reportedly among four teams being mentioned in connection with the situation, alongside Buffalo, Boston and St. Louis, which gives the Canadiens a measure of company but also underlines how early this remains. The next move is still Larkins to make, and until he decides whether to alter his list, the entire idea stays in the speculative stage. Still, for a team always looking for ways to add impact talent, even a loose development like this can quickly become one of the more interesting subplots to watch. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Fans Are Bracing For A Big Ivan Demidov Update
Ivan Demidovs status has become the latest point of concern for Canadiens fans, with the young forward already on injured reserve because of an ankle injury. The situation has lingered long enough to create real unease around his recovery, especially with the club still holding back on a full explanation while the injury picture remains unclear.
His agent has added to the uncertainty by indicating the issue is more serious than a simple setback, but Montreal has not publicly confirmed that assessment. For now, the Canadiens are expected to provide an update tomorrow, and until then the focus stays on how long Demidov might be out and what it means for a team that has been waiting on more clarity. [Read more 🡒]