Here’s to another installment of NHL Rumors from Full Press Hockey! The NHL offseason’s “dog days” are arrived. The majority of teams have completed their signings. Apart from a few well-known RFAs, there aren’t many rumors circulating. Nevertheless, Patrik Laine’s exit from the NHL-NHLPA player aid program does not imply that the rumors—particularly the ones linking him to the Montreal Canadiens—have stopped.
Arber Xhekaj, Justin Barron, and Kaiden Guhle all received new contracts from the Canadiens recently, demonstrating their activity as a team. Juraj Slafkovsky was given an eight-year extension by the Canadiens on the first day of free agency. But once Carey Price is placed on LTIR (long-term injured reserve) at the start of the season, President Jeff Gorton and General Manager Kent Hughes might not be done using the cap space they have available.
The Canadiens are rumored to be interested in adding another top-six forward, and Laine is the name that is still associated with Montreal. Although Montreal was considering hiring him, it was unclear when Laine would leave the player assistance program. The rumors are getting louder now that Laine is not there.
Can the Canucks get Laine aboard?
Laine had ties to the Canadiens even prior to his release from the player assistance program. But according to The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline, Don Waddell, the new general manager of Columbus, wants to trade him for a hockey player. The crucial factor will be if a team that signs Laine can afford to pay the $8.7 million salary cap charge.
Hughes intended to acquire a top-six forward on the first day of free agency. He attempted to sign Jonathan Marchessault to a contract in Montreal, but Hughes was unwilling to extend it past three years. The Canadiens had wanted to acquire a top-six forward since the previous season.
Does Montreal’s acquisition of Laine make sense? Indeed, it does. The Canadiens had the lowest goal average in the NHL last season, 2.83 per game. Laine’s arrival will only make that average rise. In addition, Laine’s age complements the essence of Montreal.
He just has two years left on the contract, but everyone will focus on the $8.7 million cap charge. The cap hit is an issue given his decline in performance. It shouldn’t be too big of an issue, though, especially if she scores 20–25 goals in 82 regular season games.
The draft money needed to complete the transfer is available in Montreal. The Canadiens will have two or more picks in the first four rounds of the 2025 NHL Draft, according to PuckPedia.com. Once more, though, the Blue Jackets are not searching for draft picks and prospects. In exchange, Columbus will demand a player on the roster.
Waddell will probably have to accept some financial loss even though he wants to remove the $8.7 million cap hit. Does that imply that a player such as Josh Anderson could choose a different path? Over the following three seasons, Anderson earns $5.5 million. Could the Canadiens move Mike Matheson in exchange for signing their young defenseman? It would be difficult to give up a veteran when there are still so many young players available.
The Martin St. Louis factor is another. As the Canadiens coach, we have witnessed what St. Louis has accomplished. Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Guhle, and Slakfovsky have all improved as a result of him. Kirby Dach is still up for debate. However, consider the possibilities for St. Louis if Laine were to start.
Thus, after two years, they don’t bring him back if things don’t work out. In addition, the Canadiens added a pure goal scorer to their roster who may be a valuable asset if things pan out for Montreal.
Any team taking on a 40-goal scorer like Laine is taking a risk, but for Montreal, that risk is well worth it.
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