Patrik Laine Nearing Return, but Do the Canadiens Still Need Him?
When Patrik Laine underwent core muscle surgery back in late October, the expectation was a three-to-four-month recovery. Fast forward to today, and that timeline has just about run its course.
The Finnish winger has been skating in a regular jersey for weeks, and with the Olympic break winding down, all signs point to him being physically ready to rejoin the lineup. But here’s the real question: is there still a place for him in Montreal?
A year ago, the answer would’ve been an emphatic yes. When Laine returned from a knee injury last season, he didn’t just rejoin the team-he lit it up.
His 20 goals were a huge reason Montreal made their playoff push, and both Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes made it clear that without him, that run doesn’t happen. But this year’s Canadiens are a different beast.
Montreal currently sits as the third-highest scoring team in the league with 197 goals-just one behind Edmonton and within striking distance of Colorado. The offense is clicking, and more importantly, it’s balanced.
The top six isn’t just about firepower anymore-it’s about two-way responsibility, chemistry, and buying into Martin St-Louis’ system. And right now, that top six is functioning like a well-oiled machine.
That’s where things get tricky for Laine.
There’s no denying what Laine brings to the table: a lethal shot, elite scoring instincts, and a proven track record when healthy. But health has been the issue.
And even if he’s physically ready, fitting him into the current lineup isn’t as simple as plugging in a name on a depth chart. Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield might need a consistent winger, but they’re also tasked with going head-to-head against the opposition’s best lines every night.
That’s not exactly the ideal spot for a player still working his way back from injury and known more for his offensive upside than his defensive tenacity.
Could Laine help the power play? Absolutely.
Montreal’s man advantage ranks seventh in the league at 23.9%-solid, but not untouchable. A healthy Laine with his signature one-timer could give that unit a different look.
The problem is, in the five games he played before the injury, his timing was clearly off. That signature shot just wasn’t there.
Was it the injury? Probably.
But even if he boosts the power play, does that justify the potential liability at even strength?
That’s the dilemma the Canadiens are facing. And it’s why they’re reportedly open to moving Laine before the trade deadline-potentially retaining some salary in the process.
What they’re not willing to do, though, is attach a sweetener to get a deal done. They still believe Laine can be a valuable piece, just maybe not in Montreal’s current puzzle.
One team that’s been floated as a possible landing spot is the Carolina Hurricanes. They’ve got the cap space and a roster that includes fellow Finns like Sebastian Aho-and even Laine’s former Winnipeg teammate, Nikolaj Ehlers. That kind of familiarity could help Laine find his footing quickly in a new environment.
Of course, any team kicking the tires on a potential deal will want to see what they’re getting. That might mean Montreal needs to showcase Laine in a few games before pulling the trigger on a trade.
If he looks sharp, his value goes up. If not, the Canadiens may have to reassess.
Either way, Laine’s situation is one to watch closely as the NHL schedule resumes. Whether he’s suiting up in a Canadiens sweater or showcasing for a new team, his next steps could shape not just his own future-but potentially the trade market as a whole.