Western Team Circling Back On Canadiens' Patrik Laine

It was just one week ago that we learned of a major suitor for Patrik Laine dropping out of talks with the Montreal Canadiens on a possible trade. But things have changed for the Los Angeles Kings since then. And it sounds like they're back in.

Trade talk surrounding #GoHabsGo winger Patrik Laine has picked up a little more, and I’m told the #GoKingsGo are circling back on him. Other teams in the mix, too. We’ll see if Montreal retains 50% of his $8.7M AAV, but expectations remain high that he’ll be moved this week.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) March 3, 2026

Insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period writes that talks have picked up again, and the Kings are circling back on him. There are other teams in the mix, as well, but if the Habs can retain at least $4M of his $8.7M cap hit, that would certainly help grease the wheels on a deal.

Kings are desperate for goal-scoring help, back in on Laine talks

As for the Kings, regardless of how much they're in love with the player or not, their need for a seven-time 20-goal scorer is acute at this time. They were already 28th in league scoring in goals per game before the Olympic break, and since then they've lost two forwards for the rest of the season. Kevin Fiala, their third-leading scorer, and his 18 goals are done for the year after his injury at the Milan games.

Then Andrei Kuzmenko took his 13 goals to the shelf after undergoing surgery on a torn meniscus this past weekend. He, too, is done for the year.

As for Laine, he hasn't played since mid-October due to core muscle surgery, and now that he's set to return, there isn't a spot for him in the Canadiens lineup. They would love to purge his $8.7M.

The Kings made a big splash already, bringing in Artemi Panarin in a trade with the NY Rangers earlier this month. But that was before the aforementioned injuries, so they are severely shorthanded up front. Add to that an upper-body injury to Quinton Byfield that kept him out of LA's most recent game, and the Kings are now urgently searching for some legit goal-scoring talent.

Laine might not be the perfect fit, but beggars can't be choosers at this point, for the Kings. They have just nine goals in four games since picking up play after the break.