Patrik Laine’s Time in Montreal Appears to Be Winding Down - And a Trade Could Be Coming Soon
When the Montreal Canadiens brought in Patrik Laine, there was hope that the Finnish winger’s elite shot and offensive instincts would help elevate the Habs’ attack. But fast forward to now, and it’s clear things haven’t gone as planned. Since the start of the 2024-25 season, Laine has suited up for just 57 regular-season games, tallying 34 points - a far cry from the impact Montreal envisioned when they acquired him.
Injuries have played a major role in derailing Laine’s time with the Canadiens. Most recently, he underwent surgery to repair a core muscle injury after appearing in only five games this season.
The recovery timeline was set at 3-4 months, and with the Winter Olympics now underway, Laine is nearing a return. But as he gets closer to game shape, it’s looking more and more like that return won’t come in a Canadiens jersey.
Montreal’s forward group is getting crowded - and healthy. Kirby Dach and Jake Evans are back, and Alex Newhook is expected to rejoin the lineup by the end of the month.
Add in offseason additions like Alexandre Texier and Phil Danault, and the Canadiens suddenly have more NHL-ready forwards than roster spots. That puts Laine in a tough spot.
The Canadiens are currently carrying 22 players after waiving Sammy Blais earlier this week. With Newhook’s return on the horizon and Laine cleared to play, the Habs are actively exploring trade options. According to reports, Montreal is willing to retain 50% of Laine’s salary to facilitate a move - and while there was some chatter about the possibility of adding a sweetener to get a deal done, it sounds like the front office is reluctant to go that far.
There’s growing belief that Laine has already played his final game for Montreal. With the Canadiens set to return from the Olympic break on February 26 against the New York Islanders, the expectation around the league is that Laine could be moved before then, once the roster freeze lifts on February 22.
It’s a tough situation for a player who, when healthy, can still be one of the league’s more dangerous scoring threats. But health has been the issue - and with the Canadiens sitting second in the Atlantic Division at 32-17-8, they’re not in a position to wait and hope. This is a team with postseason aspirations, and they need every roster spot contributing down the stretch.
That’s not to say there won’t be interest in Laine. He remains one of the few legitimate offensive rentals available ahead of the trade deadline. Several contending teams are in the market for a scoring winger, and Laine fits that bill - especially if Montreal is willing to eat part of the cap hit.
The Calgary Flames just freed up significant salary cap space with veteran Jonathan Huberdeau out for the season following hip surgery. The Carolina Hurricanes, meanwhile, have both the cap flexibility and two of Laine’s close friends - Sebastian Aho and Nikolaj Ehlers - on the roster. Other teams like the LA Kings and Seattle Kraken are also looking to add scoring punch, and Laine’s shot could be exactly what they need for a playoff push.
For Montreal, the writing seems to be on the wall. Laine hasn’t been able to stay healthy, and the team’s depth up front has passed him by. With the Canadiens focused on making a serious run this spring, moving on from Laine now - while retaining salary and potentially recouping assets - makes sense for both sides.
Laine, the former No. 2 overall pick in 2016, may simply need a fresh start. And with the trade window set to open back up in just a couple of weeks, we may not have to wait long to see where his next chapter begins.