Patrik Laine is finally back on the ice, but let’s be honest—this doesn’t feel like a reinforcement arriving to save the season; it feels like the beginning of an exit interview. The 27-year-old winger has been sidelined since mid-October following core muscle surgery, and while seeing him skate is good news for his health, it creates a massive logistical headache for the Montreal Canadiens.
Here is the uncomfortable truth: the Habs’ top-nine has gelled without him. The chemistry is set. Injecting a player who needs high-volume minutes to be effective into a lineup that has moved on is risky. Yet, leaving an $8.7 million asset in the press box is impossible.
The “Showcase” Strategy
According to recent reports, including insights from Habs insider Stu Cowan, the plan isn’t to bury Laine in the bottom six. You can’t showcase a Ferrari in a school zone. The Canadiens are likely to force-feed Laine top-line minutes and power-play time immediately. This isn’t about winning games in February; it’s about convincing the other 31 GMs that Laine can still snipe before the March 6 NHL trade deadline.
The Harsh Reality of Laine’s Trade Value
If the showcase works, don’t expect a king’s ransom. I’ve crunched the numbers on the current trade market, and the valuation is sobering for Habs fans expecting a first-round pick.
The biggest hurdle isn’t the injury; it’s the cap hit. Most playoff contenders are dollar-in, dollar-out right now.
The 25% Retention Scenario
If Montreal is only willing to retain 25% of his salary, bringing his cap hit down to roughly $6.525 million for the acquiring team, the return plummets. At that price tag, teams view him as a distressed asset rather than a savior.
- Likely Return: A 4th or 5th Round Draft Pick.
- Why? A $6.5M hit is what you pay for an elite, healthy rental. Paying that for a guy coming off core muscle surgery is a gamble most GMs won’t take without a discount.
The Path to a Better Pick
To get a 2nd Round Pick or a legitimate prospect, the Canadiens will have to eat 50% of the salary (dropping the hit to $4.35M) or involve a third-party broker to get the hit down to $2.1M. That is the only world where Laine fetches a premium return.
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The post Is Patrik Laine Done in Montreal? The Truth Behind His Return appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
