The Montreal Canadiens don’t usually dominate headlines during an Olympic break, but the situation surrounding Laine has pushed the franchise into the center of the NHL rumor cycle. The winger continues working his way back from core muscle surgery, and with the roster freeze set to lift once the Games wrap up, league insiders believe Montreal is preparing to make a move.
The timing, the cap hit, and the team’s shifting depth chart all point in the same direction: Laine may not be part of the Canadiens’ plans once the NHL calendar resumes.
A Return That Might Never Happen in Montreal
For weeks, Laine has been a full participant in practice as he inches closer to medical clearance. But even as he gets healthier, the expectation around the league is that his next shift won’t come in a Canadiens sweater. Reporting out of Montreal suggests the organization is leaning toward holding him out until a trade is completed, rather than reintegrating him into the lineup.
It’s a surprising turn for a player who once looked like a long‑term scoring piece. But the Canadiens’ roster has evolved, and so have their priorities.
Why Montreal Is Ready to Move On
Montreal’s rise in the standings has reshaped the organization’s outlook. Last season, Laine’s 20 goals in 52 games helped fuel an unexpected playoff push. This year, the Canadiens are deeper, healthier, and no longer dependent on his offense to stay competitive. They sit near the top of the Atlantic Division and rank among the league’s most productive teams offensively.
With forwards like Kirby Dach, Jake Evans, and Alex Newhook returning to full strength, Laine suddenly looks like the odd man out. Montreal Hockey Now’s Marco D’Amico reported that the Canadiens have already explored trade options and are willing to retain up to 50 percent of his remaining salary to facilitate a deal.
The Contract Complication
The biggest hurdle in any Laine trade is his contract. He carries an $8.7 million cap hit and earns $9.1 million in actual salary this season—an expensive number for a player who has battled injuries and hasn’t been able to stay in the lineup consistently.
Montreal understands the challenge. Multiple reports indicate that the Canadiens are prepared to retain a significant portion of his salary once the roster freeze is lifted. Even so, the team is not expected to attach a sweetener to move him. They believe Laine still holds value on his own, especially for clubs looking to add scoring punch ahead of the deadline.
Has Laine Played His Last Game for the Canadiens?
It’s a real possibility. Laine has yet to play a regular‑season game for Montreal since being acquired, as injuries have kept him sidelined. His absence, combined with the team’s improved depth, has made his role less essential than originally anticipated.
The organization hasn’t publicly ruled out a return. Still, the reporting around the league paints a consistent picture: Montreal is preparing to move him, and Laine is likely preparing for a fresh start.
What a Trade Could Mean for Montreal
Moving Laine would give the Canadiens flexibility—both financially and structurally. Retaining salary isn’t ideal, but it’s a manageable cost if it frees up a roster spot and removes uncertainty heading into the final stretch of the season.
Montreal has built a team that no longer needs to rely on a single scorer to stay afloat. Trading Laine would be less about giving up on talent and more about aligning the roster with the team’s current identity: deeper, faster, and more balanced than at any point in recent years.
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