Canadiens Rumors: Holdup In Potential Laine Trade

The Montreal Canadiens are contenders for the Stanley Cup this season as it seems pretty wide open in the East. They sit second in their division and third in the conference after upgrading this offseason, and are looking to upgrade even further before the trade deadline. To do that, Patrik Laine will have to move.

Chris Johnston said, "Moving him out, the Canadiens 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."

The Canadiens don't have cap space available to make a big trade without moving some out. Laine isn't in their plans moving forward and hasn't been the best and most consistent addition to the team since he was acquired. Both Alex Newhook and Laine are close to returning, so the team should be at full health before the trade deadline when some hard decisions have to be made.

Laine has a 10-team no-trade list, so that's manageable to move him out somewhere, even if some money is retained. He is in the last year of his deal at $8.7 million AAV. He has just one assist in five games this season, averaging just 12:36 per game, but scored 20 goals and 33 points in 52 games last season. When healthy and in the right position, he can succeed, but that doesn't appear to be in Montreal anymore.

There could either be a team that's looking for some extra scoring and have extra cap space, like the Carolina Hurricanes, Detroit Red Wings, Anaheim Ducks, or San Jose Sharks, but those teams also don't have to be the one sending back a player that the Canadiens are looking for. Those deals could come close together and reshape the Canadiens just in time.

Whether it's a major goalie change, top-6 center, or a high-end winger, the Canadiens have the opportunity to do something and are trying.