Pierre LeBrun has put a fresh twist on the Patrik Laine sweepstakes, and the new team he mentioned stands out: the Detroit Red Wings.
That name matters because Detroit has already been identified as a club trying to add more punch. Max Bultman noted the Red Wings want to boost their offense at five-on-five and on the power play, which lines up neatly with a player whose calling card has always been putting the puck in the net. Laine, still unsigned since free agency opened in July, fits that need on paper.
The idea of Detroit entering the conversation adds another layer to a situation that has been explored all summer without turning into a move. The Ottawa Senators had discussed the possibility before backing away.
The New York Islanders only made initial contact. And the list of teams connected to Laine has already included the Lightning, Stars, Panthers, Maple Leafs and Kings.
For a player once viewed as one of the purest goal scorers of his generation, the interest makes sense even with the uncertainty around his recent form. Laine, selected second overall in 2016 by the Winnipeg Jets, has 422 points in 537 NHL games. But his production has fallen off in recent years, especially since joining the Montreal Canadiens in 2024-25.
His time in Montreal was also shortened by injury, limiting him to just five games last season. That only adds to the intrigue around where he might land next, and why teams like Detroit could still see value in taking a swing.
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There is some small familiarity in the coaching staff, since new head coach Manny Malhotra spent part of his playing career in Montreal. Even so, Gallagher's role in Vancouver is still unsettled, and the early camp alignment suggests the Canucks may be sorting through more than just line combinations. For a veteran winger who has built his career on being in the middle of the action, the next step could say a lot about where he fits on a team that is clearly headed in a different direction. [Read more 🡒]
David Reinbacher Has A Real Chance To Force Montreals Hand
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The opening is there for him to make this a real conversation rather than a developmental exercise. Montreal has some early-season uncertainty on defense, and that gives Reinbacher a chance to press for playing time if he keeps standing out in camp. Coaches have seen the offseason work, and the question now is whether he can turn that into enough trust to force the Canadiens to make a tougher decision than they expected. [Read more 🡒]
Arber Xhekaj Deal Puts Canadiens Blue Line Plans Under The Spotlight
Arber Xhekajs new one-year contract with the Canadiens brings at least a temporary end to the extended negotiation, but it also keeps the focus on a defense group that still looks crowded on paper. Montreal had been expected to make moves to sort out the blue line before Xhekajs situation was settled, and the fact that the deal finally came together without any other roster shakeup says plenty about where things stand.
Xhekaj made it clear he wanted more security than a one-year arrangement, but he is also approaching the season with the mindset of earning something bigger down the road. He said the Canadiens had been exploring trades to clear space on defense, though nothing came of those talks, leaving the team to carry its current logjam for now and leaving the next round of decisions hanging over training camp. [Read more 🡒]