There were rumors that the Montreal Canadiens were heavily involved in trade discussions surrounding Patrik Laine from the Columbus Blue Jackets. Canadiens’ GM Kent Hughes has a reputation for taking on shrewd reclamation projects, either integrating them into the team or trading them for a profit. Laine could have been such a project, as the Blue Jackets are open to moving him, and Laine is seeking a fresh start.
However, Canadiens journalist Eric Engels recently reported that any speculation about the Canadiens’ serious interest has been debunked.
Canadiens Have “Minimal Interest” In a Laine Trade
Widely regarded as a go-to source for the latest Canadiens news, Engels recently appeared on The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro. When asked about the possibility of a Laine trade to Montreal, he quickly dismissed the idea, acknowledging that he hadn’t paid much attention when the rumors initially began.
Eric Engels: “I’d say it’s quite minimal”@EricEngels joins @TonyMarinaro to discuss the #Canadiens reported interest level in acquiring Patrik Laine
Full pod👇
Watch: https://t.co/80PUFjxgF9
Listen: https://t.co/RbyZpPS0RW#GoHabsGo #thesickpodcast pic.twitter.com/tz7VVBCNoy— The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro (@thesickpodcasts) August 7, 2024
Engels stated that the Canadiens’ interest would be “minimal” at best and found the notion of the team being a frontrunner for the NHL sniper amusing. He elaborated:
“I’ve done some digging into this, and I can’t help but laugh. With Twitter’s new ‘For You’ feature, I’ve seen a lot of posts suggesting that the Canadiens are leading the charge for Patrik Laine. But honestly, let’s be realistic. Laine is on the market for a reason.”
Why the Canadiens Aren’t Interested
The Canadiens are hesitant to pursue Patrik Laine for several reasons. First, although Laine’s recent exit from the NHL’s Player Assistance Program allows for trade discussions, teams, including the Canadiens, are uncertain about his current mental and physical condition. His decline in on-ice performance is another concern, making Montreal unlikely to take a risk on him. While Laine might want a fresh start, it’s unclear if Montreal would be a good fit.
Second, there’s the question of whether Laine would want to move from the Player Assistance Program into the high-pressure environment of playing in Montreal, where the fan base and media are notoriously demanding. This might not be the best situation for a player seeking stability and a fresh start.
Additionally, Montreal values its healthy team environment and locker room atmosphere, and there may be concerns about how Laine’s issues could impact that. Given the team’s current stage of development and Laine’s needs, his addition might disrupt their progress.
Financially, Laine’s $8.7 million cap hit and $9.1 million actual salary are significant, and while the Canadiens have the cap space to take on his contract, GM Kent Hughes typically prefers contracts he can maneuver with. It would likely require the Columbus Blue Jackets to retain a substantial portion of Laine’s salary, which they have been unwilling to do.
Ultimately, the combination of Laine’s personal challenges, high salary, and Montreal’s team dynamics makes a trade unlikely. Despite rumors, the Canadiens are not leading the race for Laine, and it’s uncertain whether other teams, like the Minnesota Wild, will emerge as serious contenders. Laine might remain with the Blue Jackets at least until the start of the 2024-25 season.
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