The NHL/NHLPA players assistance program has given veteran winger Patrik Laine the all-clear to resume playing, the league told the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday, July 26.
Following the first release of that information by Aaron Portzline of the Athletic on July 26, speculation about his desired trade away from Ohio—including a possible move to the Montreal Canadiens north of the border—has intensified. The Canadiens would acquire Laine in return for two prospects and two draft picks that are not in the first round, according to a trade proposal on PuckGM. Following the news on July 26, Marc Dumont of Montreal Hockey Now and Jim Parsons of NHL Trade Talk talked about the possible trade and agreed that Laine was a fantastic fit for the Canadiens team.
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Parsons stated, “Laine would qualify as someone who could do well in the right environment and fits within the age range of their core.” Laine definitely meets the description for the Canadiens, who are searching for a long-term winger with above-average offensive instincts to cover a void in the top six, according to Dumont. Laine’s deal has two years left on it, with a potential $8.7 million salary cap cost. The winger and the Blue Jackets inked a $34.8 million contract in the summer of 2022, which would span four seasons.
Is Patrik Laine a Perfect Fit for the Canadiens?
As they look for ways to strengthen their core of six forwards, the Montreal Canadiens have identified Patrik Laine as a possible trade target. Laine, 26, is a potential long-term addition with a strong and successful NHL career because he is inside the age bracket of the Canadiens’ core players. Waddell’s first goal, according to Portzline, was to finalize a “hockey trade” that would send a regular lineup player to Columbus. Recently, though, those objectives have shifted, with Columbus now aiming to acquire prospects and draft choices.
Potential trade talks are further complicated by Laine’s contract’s limited no-trade provision, which gives him the ability to thwart deals with ten NHL teams. It is unclear, though, if Laine would accept a trade to any of the other 31 NHL teams, given his circumstances in Columbus. The Blue Jackets traded for Laine in January 2021, and he has since missed 123 games due to injuries and sickness. Laine has scored 64 goals and 74 assists in 174 games.
