NHL Rumors: Montreal Canadiens, Patrik Laine and Potential Destinations

The Canadiens will have to make some deductions and/or withhold salary if they want to move Patrik Laine

The Chris Johnston Show: Chris Johnston on the Montreal Canadiens and Patrik Laine.

** NHLRumors.com transcription

“You know, the Laine situation is going to be tough. He’s making $8.7 million against the cap, and the Canadians are probably going to have to put some kind of value on him to move him, I guess. Either maintain salary or do a little bit of both.”

And you know, getting that transaction closer to the deadline makes sense for the acquisition team because of the cap build.

I don’t know what he is at this point. You know, Patrik Laine played five games this year. You know, he’s been out injured for a long time. Had an operation. You know, he’s getting really close to where he can play again. He has been practicing here with the Canadians for a while.

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But you know, I also think that by moving him, the Canadians are doing so knowing that they have something else in place. And right now they have nothing else.”

Potential destinations for Patrik Laine

Marco D’Amico from Ratings: The Montreal Canadiens have attempted to trade Patrik Laine and are willing to keep 50 percent of his salary. There has also been some speculation that they would be willing to add a sweetener and keep it as well, but sources have said the Canadiens are really interested in both.

Sportsnet’s Eric Engels reported that Laine is expected to be traded before Feb. 26, the Canadiens’ next game.

The Calgary Flames can LTIR Jonathan Huberdeau, which will free up a lot of cap space. The Carolina Hurricanes have max cap space and Laine is best friends with Sebastian Aho and Nikolaj Ehlers. The Los Angeles Kings and Seattle Kraken could use some scoring help.

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The market for someone like Laine could grow with the Kraken, Utah Mammoth and Columbus Blue Jackets in playoff races and it could keep the likes of Nick Schmaltz, Jordan Eberle, Boone Jenner, Charlie Coyle and Jared McCann out of the market.

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