REPORT: Canadiens Could Move on From \$34.8 Million Forward Patrik Laine
The Montreal Canadiens may be exploring options to move on from forward Patrik Laine this offseason, according to insider Eric Engels of Sportsnet.
During a recent appearance on Sportsnet 590 The FAN (aired June 24), Engels noted that while Montreal isn’t actively shopping Laine, the team would be open to trading him if the right offer presents itself.
“If the phone rang and somebody wanted to take on the last year of Patrik Laine’s deal, I don’t think the Canadiens would necessarily hesitate to ship it out,” Engels said.
Laine, 27, is entering the final year of the four-year, \$34.8 million contract he signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2022. After a turbulent stint in Columbus and a trade request, the Finnish winger landed in Montreal ahead of the 2024–25 season.
Although Laine battled through injuries this past year, he managed a respectable 20 goals and 33 points in 52 games, showing flashes of the scoring touch that made him the second overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft. He also appeared in two playoff games before a broken finger sidelined him during Montreal’s first-round matchup against the Washington Capitals.
Despite the rumors, Engels emphasized that the Canadiens are not in a rush to dump Laine’s contract.
“I don’t think they’re necessarily ripping their hair out to find ways to get him out of Montreal,” he added. “There’s still an opportunity for him to prove to be a valuable piece.”
The Canadiens are in the midst of a youth-driven rebuild and could be looking to create additional cap flexibility or retool their top-six forward group. Whether Laine remains part of their long-term plans may depend on his health, consistency, and whether a contending team sees value in his scoring pedigree.
Laine’s future in Montreal remains uncertain, but the coming weeks could provide clarity as general managers around the league gear up for offseason moves.
Montreal Canadiens Could Trade Patrik Laine Due to Salary Cap Constraints
Here’s a refined and comprehensive article based on the latest information and rumors:
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Canadiens Could Move Patrik Laine to Clear Cap Space for Top-Six Center Pursuit
The Montreal Canadiens are entering the 2025 offseason with an ambitious goal: add a legitimate top-six center to solidify their forward core. With Ivan Demidov expected to debut next season, the team is envisioning a dynamic second line but financial flexibility may be a major obstacle.
According to PuckPedia, the Canadiens currently have around \$6.1 million in available cap space. That figure falls short of what it would take to sign or trade for an established second-line center. As a result, Montreal may need to shed salary to make such a move realistic and one contract stands out: Patrik Laine’s.
Laine, who carries an \$8.7 million cap hit in the final year of his deal, could become the key piece to help Montreal create the necessary space. While Eric Engels of Sportsnet reported that the Canadiens are not actively shopping Laine, the door remains open for a deal if the right scenario emerges.
“If the phone rang and somebody wanted to take on the last year of Patrik Laine’s deal, I don’t think the Canadiens would necessarily hesitate to ship it out,” said Engels on Sportsnet 590 The FAN.
Laine posted 20 goals and 33 points in 52 games in 2024–25, showing promise when healthy but struggling with consistency and injuries. He missed the end of Montreal’s first-round playoff series against Washington due to a broken finger. Still only 27, Laine could appeal to teams seeking scoring punch on a short-term, low-risk commitment.
For Montreal, however, the calculus is different. Moving Laine could free up enough space to pursue a true No. 2 center either via trade or free agency to pair with Demidov, giving the Habs a formidable offensive nucleus alongside Nick Suzuk and Cole Caufield.
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