NHL Rumors: How the Canadiens Can Make a Patrik Laine Trade Work
Insider Chris Johnston’s view is that at an $8.7 million cap hit, Montreal likely has to retain money, attach value, or do a bit of both to get a deal over the line.
The good news for Kent Hughes is the timing helps, because once the Olympic freeze lifts and teams start thinking in cap accrual terms, Laine becomes easier to fit than his full-season number suggests.
How Montreal can actually move Patrik Laine
The best path is retention first.
Reports have Montreal willing to hold back up to 50 percent, and that is the lever that turns Laine from a scary contract into an interesting low-risk swing for a contender that needs a pure finisher.
Eric Engels: We would expect the Canadiens to need to retain up to half of Patrik Laine’s...salary to get the remainder...off their books. But coupling that sacrifice with an asset...doesn’t appear to be on the table, according to league sources - Sportsnet (2/5)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) February 12, 2026
The Canadiens would rather not pay a big sweetener on top of that, and they might not have to if the market stays thin.
If Utah, Seattle, and Columbus keep pushing for playoff spots, more rentals stay off the board, and scarcity can force buyers to consider a short-term bet like Laine even with the injury baggage and the questions about his five game season.
Since joining the Canadiens last season, Laine has played in just 57 games, recording 20 goals and 34 points.
Why the post Olympics window matters
The calendar is doing Montreal a favor.
Montreal analyst Eric Engels has strongly suggested that if Laine plays after the Olympics, it would be for someone else, and the expectation is a move before the Canadiens return on February 26. That lines up with Johnston’s point about why a buyer would prefer to strike closer to the deadline, because the remaining cap charge is lower and the fit gets easier.
Montreal also has to be strategic about what they get back, because swapping Laine for a longer bad contract defeats the point, and bringing him off the roster matters for flexibility once the season turns toward the summer reset.
Prior to joining Montreal, Laine had recorded an impressive 204 goals and 388 points across 480 games played from 2016-2024.
Nick Kypreos: Re Patrik Laine: Montreal is looking to move out his money and might be willing to spend an asset to do that; are prepared to retain a good chunk (even up to 50 per cent) of his deal - Sportsnet (2/2)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) February 4, 2026
If Montreal is serious about making this work, the target list has to be teams with cap room, LTIR wiggle room, or a clear need for a shooter.
Calgary has been floated as a possibility if the cap space opens, Carolina has room and the friendship connections, and clubs like the Los Angeles Kings, Seattle Kraken, and New York Islanders have been mentioned as teams looking for more offense.
Photo Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
