Patrik Laine Trade Watch: Three Teams That Make Sense for the Sniper’s Next Chapter
Patrik Laine’s time in Montreal is nearing its end - that much feels certain. The Finnish winger has suited up in just 57 games for the Canadiens, and with the March 6 trade deadline looming, all signs point to him wearing a different jersey the next time he steps on NHL ice.
This split has been brewing since Laine’s injury back in October. With Montreal shifting its focus toward a younger core and Laine set to hit unrestricted free agency this summer, the writing’s been on the wall.
Now, with the Canadiens reportedly open to retaining salary to facilitate a move, the market for Laine is heating up. Here’s a look at three teams that could be logical landing spots for the former second-overall pick - and why a change of scenery might unlock his still-elite goal-scoring upside.
1. Carolina Hurricanes: Familiar Faces, Serious Contender
If there’s one team that’s consistently aggressive when the opportunity arises, it’s the Carolina Hurricanes. GM Eric Tulsky has built a roster that’s once again leading the Metropolitan Division, and with Cup aspirations very much alive, Carolina is expected to be in the mix for any player who can provide an extra jolt - especially one with Laine’s scoring pedigree.
The fit makes a lot of sense. Laine has a long-standing chemistry with Sebastian Aho from their time together with Team Finland, and he knows Nikolaj Ehlers well from their days in Winnipeg. Add in the likes of Andrei Svechnikov and Seth Jarvis, and you’ve got a top-six that could become downright lethal with Laine in the mix.
Carolina’s power play could also benefit from Laine’s one-timer on the off-wing - a weapon that, when healthy, remains one of the most dangerous in the league. Plug him into a top-six role and give him some run with the first power-play unit, and you might just have a difference-maker for the stretch run.
And here’s the kicker: Carolina has the cap space to make this work, even without retention. But with Montreal reportedly willing to eat up to 50% of Laine’s $8.7 million salary, the Canes could pull this off without giving up too much - especially if they view Laine as a short-term swing with high upside.
2. Seattle Kraken: Swinging Big in the Pacific
Seattle hasn’t been shy about aiming high. Kraken GM Jason Botterill has already made headlines with bold moves - including dangling former top pick Shane Wright in trade talks and reportedly offering Artemi Panarin a massive four-year, $56 million deal. That tells you everything you need to know about how aggressive this front office is willing to be.
The Kraken are currently sitting third in the Pacific Division, but there’s a clear need for more offensive punch. Their offense ranks 23rd in the league, and while they’ve got a deep group of solid forwards, what they’re missing is someone who can tilt the ice - someone like Laine.
Yes, there’s risk involved. Laine’s health has been a question mark, and his consistency can waver.
But for a team like Seattle, the potential reward outweighs the gamble. He wouldn’t need to carry the offense - just elevate it.
And if he clicks, especially on the power play, this could be the kind of move that helps Seattle go from playoff hopeful to legitimate threat.
Cap-wise, Seattle would likely need to get creative - either by moving out a contract or leaning on Montreal to retain some of Laine’s salary. But with a few pending UFAs on the roster and flexibility to maneuver, it’s a deal that’s very much within reach.
3. Utah Mammoth: A New Team Looking to Make Noise
The Utah Mammoth are in their inaugural season, but they’re not acting like an expansion team. Sitting in a playoff spot as the top wild card in the West, Utah has been one of the league’s more intriguing stories - and they’re not done building.
GM Bill Armstrong and new owner Ryan Smith have made it clear they’re not here just to participate. They want to win - and soon. Adding a player like Laine could be a statement move, one that signals Utah is serious about challenging the Central Division’s top dogs in Colorado, Dallas, and Minnesota.
Utah already has a promising young core, but they’re in desperate need of help on the power play. They rank 31st in the league with a 15.6% conversion rate - a number that simply won’t cut it in the postseason. Laine, with his elite shot and ability to stretch defenses, could be the fix they need.
Financially, Utah is in decent shape. They’re close to being able to take on Laine’s full cap hit, but like Seattle, they’d likely need some salary retention or a corresponding move to make the numbers work. Still, with Montreal open to facilitating a deal, the pieces are there.
Final Thoughts
Laine’s time in Montreal may not have gone as planned, but his story is far from over. At just 28 years old, he still has one of the league’s most dangerous shots and the potential to be a game-changer in the right situation. Whether it’s Carolina looking to go all-in, Seattle searching for a spark, or Utah trying to accelerate its rise, there’s no shortage of suitors who could benefit from taking a swing on Laine.
The clock is ticking toward the trade deadline. And with the Canadiens open for business, don’t be surprised if Laine becomes one of the most talked-about names over the next few weeks.