Amid intensifying NHL trade rumors, a Montreal Canadiens fan behind the glass holds up a sign wishing Patrik Laine good luck with the Calgary Flames, his potential new team.
The NHL trade chatter has picked up significantly this week, and one name surprisingly back in the mix is Patrik Laine. Despite not playing since October due to surgery to repair a core muscle, the buzz surrounding the Finnish sniper is growing louder. While Laine has been practicing with the Montreal Canadiens, a return to the Habs’ lineup doesn’t appear imminent. Instead, Montreal seems focused on aggressive asset management, and that is where the Calgary Flames come into the picture.
According to NHL insider Nick Kypreos, the Canadiens are highly motivated to move Laine’s money off the books to potentially facilitate a larger move. The kicker? Montreal is reportedly willing to retain up to 50 percent of his expiring contract. For a rebuilding team like the Calgary Flames, this presents a scenario that is almost too good to ignore.
The Financials: Why Montreal Wants to Move On
This isn’t just about dumping a contract; it’s about opportunity cost. Montreal hasn’t utilized their salary retention slots effectively this season, and with Laine’s deal expiring in a few months, they have zero long-term risk in eating half his salary to gain an asset or simply clear the deck.
For the Flames, this fits the “rebuild on the fly” blueprint perfectly. Kypreos suggests that for a non-playoff team like Calgary, acquiring Laine now acts as a “free look.” There is no long-term commitment required. The Flames are desperate for high-end skill, and even in a down year or coming off injury, Laine possesses a shot that 95% of the league cannot replicate. If he comes to Calgary essentially for free—or for a late-round pick—GM Craig Conroy gets to audit an elite talent within his own system before making a decision on an extension.
My Take: The High-Upside Gamble
I look at this potential move and see zero downsides for Calgary. Patrik Laine is only 27 years old; he is theoretically just entering what should be the prime of his career. We know the talent is there, but he has battled significant injury hurdles and the “mental block” that often plagues pure goal scorers when the puck isn’t going in.
If he can get past those mental hurdles and stay healthy, he could be an excellent addition to the Flames on a short-term contract. But there is a secondary play here: asset flipping. If Calgary acquires him now and he heats up, they could look to flip him at next year’s NHL trade deadline to gain valuable assets for their rebuild. Again, this all depends on if Laine can find his scoring touch again and stay healthy, but for a rebuilding squad, this is exactly the kind of lottery ticket you buy.
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