The Canadiens will need to attach something and/or retain 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 makes $8.7 million on the cap, that the Canadians are likely going to have to attach some kind of value piece to him, to move him, I think. Or retain salary or do a bit of both.
And, you know, making that trade closer to the deadline makes sense for the acquiring team because of cap accrual purposes.
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 a long time. Had a surgery. You know, he’s getting very close to where he can play again. He’s been practicing with the Canadians for some, some time here.
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But, you know, I also think moving him out, the Canadians do that in concert with knowing they have something else in place. And at this point in time, they don’t have anything else in place.”
Potential destinations for Patrik Laine
Marco D’Amico of Ratings: The Montreal Canadiens have been trying to trade forward Patrik Laine and are willing to retain 50 percent of his salary. There has also been some speculation that they would be willing to add a sweetener as well as retaining, but sources have said the Canadiens are really interested in doing both.
Sportsnet’s Eric Engels reported that Laine is expected to be traded before February 26th, the Canadiens next game.
The Calgary Flames can LTIR Jonathan Huberdeau, adding lots of cap space. The Carolina Hurricanes have 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 may grow with the Kraken, Utah Mammoth, and Columbus Blue Jackets in playoff races and it may keep the likes of Nick Schmaltz, Jordan Eberle, Boone Jenner, Charlie Coyle, Jared McCann out of the market.
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