One Canadian Team Out On Free Agent Patrik Laine
Senators Move On From The Idea
According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen, general manager Steve Staios and the Senators did discuss the possibility of signing the unrestricted free agent, but it's now highly doubtful Laine ends up in Ottawa.
The front office simply doesn't view Laine as the right fit for the roster they're building.
Bruce Garrioch: Re Patrik Laine: The Senators discussed the possibility; We’re led to believe that the Senators don’t feel that [he] is the right fit for their roster - Ottawa Citizen (9/1)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) September 7, 2026
It's an interesting shift given how much the idea had circulated.
Laine has 224 goals and 422 points in 537 career games, and a bounce-back season from him would have addressed a need for scoring depth in Ottawa.
Health And Role Likely Killed It
Laine was limited to just five games with Montreal last season before his contract expired, and durability concerns have followed him since his time in Columbus.
A pure power-play specialist without much value elsewhere on the ice is a tougher sell for a team trying to take a step forward in the standings.
With training camps opening within the next two weeks, time is starting to work against Laine regardless of what happens with Ottawa.
Other teams, including Toronto, Tampa Bay, Florida and Dallas, have reportedly shown interest at various points, but as of now, Laine remains unsigned.
