Since the offseason began, the Montreal Canadiens have been linked to various top-six forwards, and after a series of moves, they secured Patrik Laine.
Despite the speculation surrounding other potential acquisitions like Trevor Zegras and Martin Necas, Laine’s arrival addresses Montreal’s pressing need for goal-scoring.
The Canadiens have struggled offensively in recent years, ranking as the fifth-lowest scoring team in the NHL since 2021-22. Adding Laine, known for his goal-scoring prowess, instantly improves their offensive capabilities.
Laine’s career started with a bang, netting 36 goals as a rookie and amassing 80 goals in his first two seasons—more than even Auston Matthews at that time. While Laine’s recent seasons have been less prolific due to injuries, his scoring rate still suggests he’s capable of maintaining a 30-goal pace when healthy.
Financially, acquiring Laine was a calculated risk. While his cap hit is significant, the Canadiens have maneuvered effectively around the salary cap, partly due to Carey Price’s long-term injured reserve status. Even with upcoming contract extensions for players like Juraj Slafkovský and Kaiden Guhle, the Canadiens are well-positioned financially, with expiring contracts and a projected increase in the salary cap next season.
The trade’s cost was relatively low, with Montreal only parting with Jordan Harris, a young but replaceable defenseman. Laine, now 26, adds a critical scoring element alongside Cole Caufield and emerging stars like Nick Suzuki and Slafkovský, giving the Canadiens an offensive depth they’ve lacked for years.
Expectations for Laine are tempered, with hopes he’ll contribute around 20 goals, but his presence allows the Canadiens to diversify their offensive strategies, particularly on the power play.
As the Canadiens look to compete in the latter part of the season, Laine’s addition could be pivotal in ensuring they play meaningful games in March and April. The rebuild is not fully complete, but with key pieces in place, Montreal’s on-ice performance is poised to take a significant step forward.
