The Ottawa Senators may have kicked Patrik Laine off their summer board.
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen reported that Ottawa did talk about the unrestricted free agent winger, but the idea no longer appears to be alive. Garrioch wrote: “Staios and the Senators did discuss the possibility of signing unrestricted free agent Patrik Laine, but it’s highly doubtful he’ll end up in Ottawa.
In fact, that ship has likely sailed… We’re led to believe that the Senators don’t feel that Laine is the right fit for their roster. Yes, he can sign a bonus-laden contract, so there isn’t much risk involved, but the Senators are relying on the fact that Burakovsky can find his game in Ottawa.”
That’s a notable turn, especially for a club that could use another clean finish in the lineup. Laine’s track record is still obvious: 224 goals and 422 points in 537 career NHL games.
But Ottawa apparently doesn’t see him as the answer. The next question is what comes after that, including whether he’d be open to a PTO.
In Toronto, the Maple Leafs have filled all 50 contract slots after signing Brendan Brisson to a one-year, two-way deal. The agreement carries an $850,000 NHL cap hit and $300,000 in the AHL.
Brisson split last season between the New York Rangers and Hartford Wolf Pack. He posted one assist in three NHL games and added 37 points in 66 AHL games. He may not have a locked-in NHL role, but he gives Toronto another depth piece in the system and a possible call-up option from the Marlies.
The bigger detail here is the number itself: the Leafs are at the league’s 50-contract limit, which means any further addition will require a move first. With fringe players still battling for jobs, that kind of maneuver could still be on the table.
As for Dylan Larkin, the Montreal angle may be cooling off. TVA Sports’ Renaud Lavoie reported that the Canadiens are not on the Detroit captain’s approved list of teams he would accept in a trade.
That matters because Larkin holds a full no-trade clause through 2028, so he has the final say on where this goes. Montreal had looked like a natural fit on paper, with the prospect pool, draft capital and cap room to put together a serious offer.
TSN’s Bryan Hayes and Frankie Corrado also pointed to the Canadiens as a strong landing spot, though Hayes said Larkin would have to “come around to it.” If Lavoie’s report is right, that door is not open right now.
Minnesota is still being tied to Larkin, but even there, the picture is complicated. Elliotte Friedman said on NHL Network, “I don’t think Quinn Hughes wants long-term in Minnesota.
And I do think that the Wild and Hughes are going to be meeting soon to start heading this out. Where they are and where they’re going?”
In Other News...
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Chris Tanev is still the question mark hanging over that plan. After dealing with multiple injuries last season, the defenseman is waiting on medical clearance before he can join team activities, and his availability for the start of training camp is still uncertain. For a group trying to reset its identity on the back end, the Leafs can only do so much planning until they know whether one of their most important veteran defenders will be ready on time. [Read more 🡒]
Maple Leafs Already Have A Cap Squeeze With Another Problem Looming
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Matthew Knies Could Spark Torontos Biggest Lineup Debate
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The real debate is whether his game is best served in the top six or as the driver of a deeper line where he can tilt the ice in a different way. Knies showed more of that playmaking side when Matthews was injured, which only adds another wrinkle to the discussion about where he belongs once the lineup is fully healthy. Jim Hiller will ultimately decide how aggressive he wants to be with the forward combinations, and the answer could shape one of Toronto's most important depth questions. [Read more 🡒]