According to Nestor Quixtan from Heavy.com, the Panthers might have the ideal replacement to Marchand in Laine, who is sitting around in free agency. Although there would be several questions to be addressed mostly regarding the contract term, Laine may have all the ingredients of the kind of player that thrives in Sunrise.

Doubted, mocked, called to an early retirement, yet fueled by it all. That’s been a recipe for success for the Panthers before. Under Bill Zito, the Cats have channeled the best from players many around the NHL had given up on. Laine could be the latest addition to that list, and why not? A new name engraved on the Stanley Cup by season’s end. Because if Florida can stay healthy, there aren’t many teams that can take them out in a best-of-seven playoff series.

Contract concerns for Laine and Panthers

For Laine, however, it would also be a matter of being offered a contract worth his while. Where exactly that line is, though, remains unclear. Coming off a five-game season and facing concerns on several fronts—including injuries and his overall ability to produce consistently—Laine may not be able to ask for much. The Panthers, moreover, can’t hand out too much, either.

Aside from the Vegas Golden Knights, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Dallas Stars, who are over the cap, the Panthers currently have the narrowest cap space, with a measly $34,000 available, according to PuckPedia. In order to strike a deal with Laine, the Cats would have to make a roster move and, even then, sign Laine to a bonus-laden, performance-based deal.

Whether Laine would accept such an uncertain contract remains the biggest question. As confident in himself as he might be, Laine is wise enough to know he’d much rather make guaranteed money than chase a potential fortune. Obviously, admitting that even he and his camp are wary of just how productive he may be would be a terrible look, so Laine won’t ever make that feeling public. But there’s reason to believe it’s an actual thought.

Would Laine be a good fit in Florida?

The Panthers know it might be unrealistic to expect Laine to return to his 40-goal form from back in 2017-18. At least not right away, but perhaps he can eventually and gradually grow into a more similar version of himself. Still, Florida won’t toss Laine into a top-six role, largely because they don’t have one up for grabs, either. Instead, the job vacancy is on the third-line wing, where Marchand played alongside Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen.

The Panthers don’t know how long Marchand will be out, but it’s always best to prepare for the worst just in case. Laine would bring a very different style from Marchand, nowhere near as energetic or defensively committed, but he could compensate with depth scoring. He could also take a second power-play unit to the next level, granting the Cats a two-headed monster in the man advantage.

To Florida’s fortune, Lundell and Luostarinen can hold it down defensively well enough by themselves. There’s a reason they are mainstays on the penalty kill in Sunrise, and they could take on a little more of the dirty work to allow Laine some freedom to find open spaces in the offensive zone and set up shop. As long as Laine gets his scoring touch back and is available, there might be no problem with that strategy. That’s still a big if, though.

Florida need to fill Marchand’s void

Even at 38, Marchand is irreplaceable for the Cats. There’s no sugarcoating that fact. Still, Laine may be an intriguing option. A completely different one, at that, but one that Paul Maurice may be able to make work regardless.

The Panthers’ key to success, along with an excellent defensive system that grinds out opponents, has always been deeply rooted in their depth scoring and how the Lundell-Luostarinen-Marchand third line could operate in the Stanley Cup Final as efficiently as another team’s first unit.

With Marchand out, that strength will face headwinds. Laine, however, could be a great solution. Most importantly, an unexpected one that could take the league by surprise. Just when the rest of the NHL thinks they have the Panthers figured out, the latest back-to-back champions could pull a rabbit out of their hat.

Biggest question is contract-wise

If Florida can figure out a way around Laine’s financial and term demands and stay cap-compliant at the same time, it seems there would be no harm in giving the experiment a shot. Most likely, Laine will be after some kind of term and job security.

The Panthers, like virtually every team linked to Laine up until this point, may be wary of such a commitment. Florida will likely want to bring Laine in on a professional tryout contract (PTO) or a prove-it deal. Laine may have no appetite for that. Finding that sweet spot in between will be what makes or breaks this potential signing.

If there’s two things Zito has accustomed fans in Broward County to, it’s: winning and always finding a way to make roster-boosting moves. Those traits may also excite Laine, who is well overdue for some success at the NHL level and may be willing to loosen up his end of the rope just to join a Stanley Cup contender, arguably the biggest one in the league.

“The noise that I heard about Patrik Laine came on Day 1 of NHL free agency and Day 1 of NHL free agency only,” Stefen Rosner reported on The Elmonters. “The Islanders had talks with Laine’s camp. I didn’t believe they were willing to offer anything more than a PTO.”

If the Islanders were only interested in signing Laine to a professional tryout and the Finnish winger’s camp stood its ground, then it’s easy to see why talks between the two sides fell apart.

More than a month has passed since the start of free agency, and the buzz around Laine remains relatively dull, with the Islanders falling behind other candidates. Maybe Laine will land with a New York team, just not the one on Long Island.

NY Rangers and others interested in Laine

While the Islanders are reportedly showing their doubts about Laine and taking a backseat, their cross-town foes, the New York Rangers, appear to be more daring. A report from the Montreal Gazette placed the Rangers among the frontrunners for Laine as the Canadiens give up the once-lethal sniper to the highest bidder.

The Broadway Blueshirts aren’t the only ones in on the Laine sweepstakes, however. The Toronto Maple Leafs have been linked to the former Habs winger for a while now and remain arguably the safest bet to land him. Other candidates include the Tampa Bay Lightning, Philadelphia Flyers, and Minnesota Wild.

Figuring out Laine

As long as Laine remains an unrestricted free agent (UFA) in the NHL, however, every organization has a shot at him. Laine is up for grabs; the issue is that many teams are wary of pursuing him after watching his production drop to a bare minimum and concerns about his availability multiply rather than quiet down in recent seasons. Regardless, if any team can get Laine back to his best, it will be getting a top weapon.

The gist of the problem is figuring out whether the embers of Laine’s once red-hot scoring touch can still be reignited or whether they are a thing of the past. Figuring that out while avoiding a contract that could come back to bite an organization is the main issue and what is slowing down any progress between Laine and his camp.

Apparently, the Islanders have made up their minds and feel better off without him. Maybe they will have a sudden change of heart in the future, perhaps too late, or perchance just in the nick of time.

According to Herb Zurkowsky from the Montreal Gazette, the Rangers are one of the teams linked to Laine ever since free agency began in the NHL on July 1. Over a month has passed and not much progress has been made, but the Blueshirts could still be looking into the veteran winger.

When it comes to Laine, such a slow-cooking process was to be expected. Laine only played five games for the Canadiens last season and underwent core muscle surgery, so there are a lot of questions that need answering before any team makes him a contract offer.

If the once-lethal sniper can brush those concerns aside and prove himself, he could be an intriguing addition for a team like New York. That’s still a big if, and at a time when the Blueshirts need to bring certainties onto the roster rather than more question marks.

Do the Rangers need Laine?

Laine would bring many questions of his own if he were to sign in Manhattan. He has appeared in just 75 games over the past three seasons, which should raise concerns for any front office and coaching staff. However, there may be reason to believe the rest he had throughout the 2025-26 NHL campaign could pay off. Maybe Laine could come into the 2026-27 season energized. And for the Rangers, he could be a key addition.

Realistically, if he is at his best, Laine could be a 15-to-25-goal player for New York. As things stand, a third-line role would work best for both sides, with Laine also chiming in on the power play, where his sniper’s abilities would make him a headache for opponents.

However, it’s all potential. Everybody in the NHL knows what Laine is capable of in his prime; the gist of the problem is that Laine seems long gone from his peak form. It might take some time to get Laine back to playing with confidence, and an anxious market like New York may not give him that luxury. If the price is right, the Blueshirts could add Laine on a prove-it deal. The Rangers aren’t the only ones with that line of thought, however.

Maple Leafs showing interest

As reported by Zurkowsky, the Toronto Maple Leafs are another team interested in Laine. The Leafs’ appearance is unsurprising, considering they’ve been linked to Laine for some time now.

Still, it’s noteworthy that the interest remains the same despite the recent front-office overhaul in Hogtown. The Minnesota Wild, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Philadelphia Flyers are other franchises reportedly considering Laine.

Since Sunny Mehta arrived as the top guy on the Devils, he’s been on a mission to overhaul the franchise with changes on the roster and on the coaching staff. Now, he might look into Laine, as the team needs shooting. The Islanders have also shown some restricted interest on Laine.

At one point, Laine was expected to be one of the top scorers in the NHL. Now, he has no team. Since Laine missed so many games the last two seasons due to injuries and other shenanigans, Mehta could offer him a minimum salary with bonus additions and Laine might just accept it.

If Laine is still good at shooting, the Devils need him

Laine has created a reputation of being quite a headache. However, if he proves to still have a 98.37 MPH top shot, the Devils could, at a bargain price, be very tempted to give him a shot at redemption.

However, if Laine is not capable to provide top-tier shooting, then he has no prominent future in the NHL. Laine is not fast and no one in the league regards him as a tough guy. One workout would give the Devils all the info needed for them to see if Laine can help the team or not.

How do the Devils project for next season?

The New Jersey Devils project as a bounce-back playoff threat for the 2026 NHL season under new GM Sunny Mehta, relying on a healthy core led by Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier. Mehta also revamped the goaltending depth, and the team has hopes on young pieces like Luke Hughes.

The team added veteran depth like Evan Rodrigues and signed forward Anthony Mantha to a two-year deal. Still, the Devils have some doubters. They need to find ways to score consistently and they could be dangerous.

According to a report around the NHL, the Islanders have reached out to Laine and his camp. However, Laine’s next contract—if he even gets one—will look nothing like his previous deal, which was a topic of conversation in its own right. In fact, the Isles may be willing to offer Laine nothing more than minimum interest—and as a result—compensation.

“From what I’ve been told, the Islanders did have conversations with Patrik Laine’s camp when free agency opened. I don’t believe the Islanders were willing, or are willing, to offer Laine anything more than a tryout,” Stefen Rosner stated on The Elmonters podcast.

Much has changed for Laine

Back in July 2022, Laine put pen to paper on a four-year, $34.8 million contract in the NHL. Under that deal, he was set to earn an average of $8.7 million per season over four years. However, nothing went right for the Finnish sniper. From the moment he signed the extension in Columbus, Laine appeared in just 130 of a possible 328 games.

Not only that, but Laine was traded to Montreal in 2024. He showed flashes of his goal-scoring ability by scoring 20 goals in 52 games in Quebec’s Metropolis, but that was about it.

Last season, Laine underwent core muscle surgery. He was limited to just five games all season and wasn’t in consideration for a spot on the active roster during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Laine hasn’t played an NHL game since Oct. 16, 2025. Over his last 20 games across the past two seasons, he has recorded just six points.

Things aren’t looking great for Laine

All in all, the concerns surrounding Laine are numerous, and the guarantees simply aren’t there. As a result, any team interested in him will exercise extra caution and will likely prefer signing him to a professional tryout (PTO) rather than committing guaranteed money.

Whether Laine signs with a team or goes out of business in the NHL could come down to whether he looks anything close to the winger who once scored 44 goals in a season—or at least to the 20-goal scorer he was two seasons ago. Some believe Laine’s time in the league has come to an end. The truth is, he’ll have to earn his way back, even if that’s something a former second overall pick probably never expected to face.

It may be hard for Laine to accept, but that’s the direction things appear to be heading. From signing a contract with an $8.7 million cap hit to having to try out for a roster spot. Life comes at you fast in the NHL, and Laine’s journey is another example of it.

Laine appeared in only five games during the 2025-26 NHL season. He was placed on injured reserve (IR) by the Canadiens after undergoing surgery for a core muscle injury in October and was expected to miss three to four months.

After missing all 19 of Montreal’s games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Laine revealed during the Canadiens‘ locker-room cleanout day that he had actually been healthy enough to play. He did not seem too upset about being sidelined, and a recent report may explain exactly why.

“There was incentive for Laine to stay on IR. He will now be able to sign a bonus laden contract as a UFA with a lower base salary which will make him more appealing to teams,” Pierre LeBrun from TSN reported on his X account.

Laine had lost appeal for NHL teams

For the time being, Laine needs to make himself as appealing as possible to the rest of the NHL. Inconsistency and injury concerns have taken their toll on the former second-overall pick in 2016 and on his reputation. In search of his next contract, Laine must prove he can be trusted, and ironically, being out for most of the regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs may have actually benefited him.

When playing on a contract year, it’s usually the other way around. Players need to put up strong numbers to convince either their current team or potential suitors around the league. Laine has shown time and again that he is no average Joe in the NHL, and his situation heading into unrestricted free agency is yet another example.

Laine’s contract and history in NHL

Laine’s four-year, $34.8 million contract, signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2022, expires at the end of June. On July 1, Laine will become a UFA and will likely join the fourth different club of his NHL career.

Drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in 2016, he was traded to Columbus in 2021 before being shipped to Quebec’s Metropolis in 2024. During his time in Montreal, Laine appeared in just 57 games (52 during the 2024-25 regular season), as well as two postseason outings that year. He recorded 20 goals and 14 assists for the Habs.

Off to new chapter after Habs’ stint

Most likely, he has reached the end of his chapter with the Canadiens. If that’s the case, his time in the City of Saints comes to an end with a 0.60 points-per-game average.

Needless to say, the 28-year-old winger must find his footing at his next destination. There’s no doubt Laine possesses one of the best one-timers in the league and the sniper-like efficiency to cash in on power plays. However, that’s about as far as his résumé goes.

Unless he is willing to lower his salary demands, teams may not be too eager to add the Finnish talent, who is an asset on the man advantage yet somewhat of a liability beyond that. Fortunately, his lengthy absence this season should naturally lower both his market value and cap hit, making Laine less of a risky venture than he otherwise would be.

The Habs have been involved in no shortage of wild rumors as the trade deadline approaches. While the Canadiens could help the New York Rangers avoid trading Vincent Trocheck to a fierce rival, they have an agenda of their own. Rivalries in the NHL are unparalleled, and nothing may send a message quite like trading for a player your biggest rival let go years ago.

Fans can already guess where Montreal’s crosshairs are headed. The Calgary Flames have been wondering what to do with Nazem Kadri all season long, just as the Habs have wondered about Laine. Thus, a move involving both may be just what the doctor ordered. Perhaps the answer was in front of them all along.

“The Canadiens have circled back with the Flames recently on Nazem Kadri. Talks continue. Some chatter Patrik Laine could be in play here if this gets to the finish line,” as reported by David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period.

What adding Kadri would mean for Montreal

Montreal already boasts a star-studded lineup. The biggest concern for the Habs currently lies in goaltending, which is why they are reportedly testing the waters around top goalies across the league.

However, if the Canadiens add Kadri to the mix, they could become the apex predator in the East. If the former seventh overall pick by the Maple Leafs ends up winning a Cup with the Habs while the Buds miss the playoffs entirely, it could be too much for Toronto to take.

Kadri’s contract

The Flames are in no hurry to move Kadri, though. The same can’t be said about the Habs and Laine, who has played just 5 games this season and is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer.

Kadri, on the other hand, is under contract through the 2028–29 NHL season. However, Kadri is 35 years old, and his goals don’t exactly see eye to eye with those of Calgary, which is only just beginning its rebuild. Moreover, Kadri’s $7 million cap hit is a burden the Flames might be better off without.

Both sides could look favorably upon a trade—obviously, for the right price. Laine by himself may not be enough, but the Habs definitely have a few aces up their sleeve to tilt the scales and convince their Canadian counterparts all the way in Alberta.

It hasn’t been an easy NHL season for Laine. The elite goalscorer, who once put up 44 goals in the 2017-18 campaign, has dealt with an injury year-round, which hindered his productivity during a contract year with the Canadiens. Laine has been weighing his options with Montreal, but the writing may have been on the wall for a while now.

Reports suggest the Habs have had enough and are ready to move on. For Montreal, it might be now or never; if Laine is still in town after the March 6th trade deadline, the Canadiens will likely lose him to unrestricted free agency this summer. Although the league is wary of Laine’s availability, teams are calling Montreal to ask about him with the Los Angeles Kings reportedly in the mix.

“Trade talk surrounding Canadiens winger Patrik Laine has picked up a little more, and I’m told the Los Angeles Kings are circling back on him,” insider David Pagnotta reported on his X account. “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.“

Laine and his 2025-26 season with the Canadiens

Entering the final season of his four-year, $34.8 million contract, Laine knew it would take elite production in 2025-26 to earn an extension in The City of Saints. Though Montreal is the world’s most populous freshwater island, there seems to be no water left for Laine’s windmill.

Laine has appeared in only five games this season and has yet to return to the lineup after undergoing core muscle surgery in late October. Trading Laine away would also free up much-needed cap space ahead of the trade deadline. That may be especially useful, as the Canadiens reportedly eye a trade for a two-time Stanley Cup champion.

Kings and Laine could work out well

For Los Angeles—the Kings recently fired head coach Jim Hiller—such a gamble might be the only way to salvage its season. If the Habs indeed retain 50% of Laine’s salary, the risk is likely worth the reward. Worst-case scenario, the Kings miss the playoffs and Laine walks in July; that’d be no different than where the Kings currently stand. Thus, they have little left to lose.

Who knows? Perhaps Laine and Artemi Panarin can catch fire together. Every NHL fan remembers what happened one time the Kings made the playoffs as the bottom seed. History has a way of repeating itself, often when least expected.

According to a report from Elliotte Friedman, Laine is the name to watch in Montreal. As the insider noted, the Habs are looking to add more than they are willing to subtract ahead of the trade deadline. However, Laine could be the key piece that allows the Canadiens to make a major move.

“Patrik Laine’s a guy who has asked out before, I don’t think he wants to leave Montreal, I think he really loves Montreal, but it just obviously isn’t going to fit,” Friedman commented on Laine’s situation on the 32 Thoughts podcast.

Laine could be traded soon

With his four-year, $34.8 million contract set to expire after this season, all signs indicate the Habs will not be bringing Laine back in free agency. Thus, rather than watching him walk away as an unrestricted free agent (UFA), the Canadiens could look to shop him.

However, concerns surrounding his health and declining production could hinder his trade value. If Montreal is expecting a king’s ransom for Laine, it will most likely be in for a rude awakening.

Moreover, Laine’s contract includes a modified no-trade clause (M-NTC) with a 10-team no-trade list. That limits the Canadiens’ options and gives leverage to any team negotiating for Laine, as knowing they are not on his no-trade list allows them to set the price on their own terms rather than have Montreal’s demands forced upon them.

Laine’s injury further complicates things for Habs

Laine has had more than enough time to weigh his options and play out different scenarios in his head, as he has not played in an NHL game since October 16. So far in the 2025–26 season, he has made just five appearances, recording only one assist.

Laine remains on injured reserve (IR) and is practicing in a non-contact jersey, which means the Canadiens will face even more hurdles if they hope to move him for a reasonable return. If not, they can either trade him for peanuts or let destiny run its course and wait to see what happens in free agency.

The Canadiens held out hope for Laine for some time, but it now appears his redemption arc simply was not meant to be in Quebec’s metropolis. His 70-point campaign in 2017–18 remains the best season of his career. Because of injuries, difficult stops around the NHL, and ongoing struggles on the ice, those memories feel more distant with each passing day.

Montreal came into the NHL campaign with sky-high expectations. After the massive strides taken last season, the Canadiens knew they could make a lot of noise riding on the shoulders of one of the youngest and most electric rosters in the league.

However, adversity is hitting the City of Saints in waves now. On top of Laine’s absence—following surgery to repair a core muscle injury—the Canadiens are missing Alex Newhook (surgery on ankle) and Kaiden Guhle (surgery on partially torn adductor). It doesn’t end there, as Montreal confirmed Dach is out—at least—until late December.

As the Canadiens announced through its social media, Kirby Dach will be out for 4-6 weeks with a fractured foot. The 24-year-old center sustained the season-endangering injury during the Habs’ 3-2 loss to the Boston Bruins.

Dach’s stats in the 2025-26 NHL season

Through 15 games in the NHL campaign, Dach had recorded 7 points—thanks to his five goals and two assists. In his career, the former third-overall pick in 2019 (drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks) amasses 48 goals, 80 assists, and 128 points in 248 appearances.

Bad juju

According to Elite Prospects, the Canadiens boast the youngest squad in the NHL with an average age of 25.08. Though being young is synonymous with boldness and a fast-paced playstyle, it also comes with inexperience. In times of adversity, the team’s callowness comes to light.

As the injury bug wreaks havoc through the lineup, the nascent roster struggles to find answers. That’s been exemplified by Montreal’s three-game losing streak, during which they’ve been outscored 15–3. Moreover, the Habs have dropped five of their last six outings, and what once looked like a throne atop the Atlantic Division is quickly starting to resemble a rocking chair in Quebec’s Metropolis.

Laine underwent surgery to repair a core muscle injury in late October, which will sideline him at least until the start of the new year in the NHL. With one of the team’s main goal scorers out of the picture for a long stretch, the Canadiens are leaving no stone unturned.

Tage Thompson has been on the radar of virtually every franchise in the NHL. Despite the perennial organization crisis affecting the Sabres, Thompson has been a standout in Buffalo for a long time, being among the league’s top goal scorers. Now, the Canadiens are reportedly trying their luck with the Arizona-native.

As reported by insider Marco D’Amico, the Canadiens are among the teams to check in with the Sabres about Tage Thompson. “The answer: Not available at this time,” D’Amico stated on X, though.

Thompson’s numbers

Coming off his second 40-plus goal season in the NHL, Thompson has drawn eyes all around the league. The Sabres remain stuck on their own twisted version of The Groundhog’s Day, and the impatience is growing uncontrollable in Buffalo. At some point, living in the City of Good Neighbors is not enough to dismiss the embarrassing showings night in and night out.

So far in his career, Thompson registers 182 goals and 155 assists (337 points) through 463 appearances. Moreover, the former first-round selection (drafted by the St. Louis Blues) in 2016 has three 30-plus goal seasons, including a career best 94-point season, highlighted by his 47-goal production.

Wanting out

Though Thompson hasn’t publicly asked for a trade out of Buffalo, it’s easy to imagine he might be open to a fresh start. After turning 28 in October, the 6’6” centerman may sense the clock starting to tick. Being on his 9th NHL season, Thompson has yet to play in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and he could be just what a team like Montreal need to truly be a championship contender.

However, the contract situation can’t be ignored. Thompson entered the third season of the seven-year, $50 million extension he signed with the Sabres on August 2022. Montreal currently has $6.68 million available in cap space. In order to accomodate, Thompson’s $7.14M cap hit, the Habs would have to let go of some pieces—or the Sabres must retain a part of Thompson’s salary.

It’s still early in the NHL season, so there’s no need for the Canadiens to rush into a move. Montreal has weathered the storm just fine so far, sitting atop the Atlantic Division. However, when the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin to loom on the horizon, the Habs could resume their pursuit of Thompson—most likely around the trade deadline. They won’t be alone, though. If Buffalo fails to right the ship, expect Thompson to be one of the hottest names in the league come March.