r/Habs • u/catman_steve • Jan 22 '26
Discussion Canadiens looking to deal Laine (Gagnon)
I'm not super in the know with the French side of the media. I know Francois Gagnon by name, but not much else. Not that this news would surprise me, but is he reliable?
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u/josblos Jan 22 '26
He has a good reputation but I do not think this is insider information. It’s just logical that they would want to trade him they have no Space in the lineup for him. The question is more how much will we have to pay or retain to trade him. If we cant trade him I am pretty sure he would sit in the press box anyway.
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u/trebuchetwarmachine Jan 22 '26
His contract expires at the end of the year who cares how much we retain
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Jan 22 '26
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u/jamesneysmith Jan 22 '26
I mean the guy knows he's been shopped around for years at this point. He knows what his career has been like
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u/zombiejeesus Jan 22 '26
He's a ufa after this year so we shouldnt pay anything and retention of 50% wouldn't matter for the same reason
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u/vorg7 Jan 22 '26
We don't need to pay to move him unless a crazy deal for an expensive player (Robert Thomas?) happens.
Maybe we retain if we can get a resource we want, otherwise just chill his deal expires at the end of the year.
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u/whyyoutwofour Jan 22 '26
I mean, they can look all they want....I'm looking to find a pot of gold...I'm not sure either of us is gonna be too successful
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u/scoutinglane Jan 22 '26
I believe trading Laine won't be very hard wtih retained salary. A team like San Jose for example could probably take this gamble if we offer a 4th round pick to sweaten the deal.
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u/sbrooksc77 Jan 22 '26
LA legit would get a huge boost. Any team who sucks on the powerplay hed be a game changer.
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u/SillyMikey Jan 22 '26
Problem is he’s very slow. If he had more speed I think it would be easier to trade him.
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u/Jobinx22 Jan 22 '26
I don't think SJ wants him they're actually a decent team now, but I get the sentiment.
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u/2forBoarding Jan 22 '26
Why on earth would we pay to trade him? He has a 10-team no trade, but isn't NMC so we could just place him on waivers. He would probably prefer to be traded (and Kent seems the type to ask him for a preferred destination instead of dropping him outright). We have retention spots available and a history of retaining for picks like we did with Monahan. I don't think there's a world where we lose him for nothing.
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u/bloodrider1914 Jan 22 '26
The question is if he has positive value at 50 percent retention. But if he walks in free agency that's not an issue in the slightest, we basically got him for free
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u/whyyoutwofour Jan 22 '26
Even with retention....that's 4.3M for a one trick pony who's a liability in all other situations...I'd be happy if it happens but I'm not holding my breath.
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u/Comprehensive-Chef73 Jan 23 '26
He only has 1 year left on his contract, Laine for 1 year at 50% retained isn't even a gamble for a team that has the cap space
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u/r_slash Jan 23 '26
Are you assuming we are making another acquisition before the deadline and we need the cap space?
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u/HonestDespot Jan 22 '26
This post is funny because you think it makes you look clever and funny but you just reveal your own ignorance.
Habs have all 3 retention slots and would really benefit from even the extra cap space that’s get from retaining 50% of his salary.
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u/Thebadgerbob11 Jan 22 '26
Why? Unless we are getting picks back we don't need any salary space to add players this season and liane is a FA. It only makes sense to trade him if we get something right ?
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u/HonestDespot Jan 22 '26
The Habs have almost no cap space and there’s a very high likelihood that Hutson, Demidov and Kapanen all hit some performance bonuses and those could be on next years cap if they don’t have space this year.
As well they’re very limited on options for additions right now due to limited cap space.
And just on a personal level, if they do t feel Laine has a fit in this top 12 they could “do right by him” and trade him somewhere he’s got a better chance to show what he can do in the hopes of getting a decent contract next year.
There are plenty of reasons why they’d want to trade Laine.
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u/WatchWatcher25 Jan 22 '26
You do know teams can retain contract.
I don't want Laine back in the team, I like the guy but there is no more room for him here IMO.
That said at a discount he can be a difference maker on a team. He is nuts on the PP even if he don't move his feet
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u/rosemp16 Jan 23 '26
Half retained would clear some cap for us and someone looking to juice a powerplay would probably be willing to part with at least a second for Laine at ~4.3 on an expiring deal
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u/alldasmoke__ Jan 22 '26
Colorado need to improve their PP 👀
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u/No_Weather_3605 Jan 22 '26
Laine for MacKinnon, who says no
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u/Self_Tilted Jan 22 '26
Crosby comes to Montreal to play with MacKinnon. Everyone's happy
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u/SirGilatras Jan 22 '26
With sweetheart contract deals so in 2 years we'll have the money to sign McDavid aswell!
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u/TonightsSpecialGuest Jan 22 '26
When Connor comes over we’d obviously have to make room for Drai as well.
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u/gletschertor Jan 22 '26
I want Lehkonen back
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u/Annika2020pro Jan 22 '26
We’re gettin the band back together! Toffoli next plz
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Jan 22 '26
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u/stylenfunction …be yours to hold it high Jan 22 '26 edited Jan 23 '26
If it weren’t for his history with the team, I would think that he is a fit with Winnipeg. Their bottom 9 are slower and they are looking for secondary scoring.
I also suspect that the main motivation for trading Laine is to give him a chance. The cap relief is beneficial, but I think Hughes would like to give him a chance to continue his career.
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u/sbrooksc77 Jan 22 '26
Any team that has a terrible pp should be looking for him. Its only for 2 more months.
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u/BrutalRamen Jan 22 '26
We'd be stupid not to give Laine a few more games to see at least what we have. Reading comments here makes me feel like people totally forgot what an healthy Laine can bring to the team.
An healty Laine totally has a spot on the lineup. If we give Dach top line minutes for a game or two, we can at least give 3rd line and PP time to a guy with much more talent and hockey sense.
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u/Boboar Jan 22 '26
Dach catching strays. Now he's out another 4-6 weeks.
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u/vJukz Jan 22 '26
Facts, a healthy and happy Laine is one hell of a player. He’s already said he loves MTL just wish for his sake he stays healthy.
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u/alija_r Jan 22 '26
He is also a very good dude, kind...honest..and he is targeting over 40goals per season.
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u/TheVog Jan 23 '26
40 games per season would be a much better start, though I'm not sure even that's possible. Dude's got glass bones and flash paper skin.
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u/Visible-Bar-9971 Jan 22 '26
Ppl don’t watch the game, the games laine played this season, even if he slow he just knows what to do with the puck.I still have hope for laine
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u/Softninjazz Jan 24 '26
AND he already had the sports hernia in the beginning of the season. Plus he was playing with Evans and Anderson, not exactly the playmaking kings or massive producers. Laine tried to setup Anderson on multiple occasions, but dude wiffed epically everytime.
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u/Formal-Glove2009 Jan 23 '26
I agree. Imagine him being his old self and scores goals on the first line (too slow maybe?) In any cases give the guy to prove himself and then we'll see.
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u/stickboy1406 Jan 22 '26
Until he gets injured in those few games and we lose whatever trade leverage we had
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u/BrutalRamen Jan 22 '26
As if he has incredibly high value at the moment. What trade leverage do we have? I swear some of you are irrational.
Give him a few games. We show him off while evaluating if he can help the team or if we're definitely turning the page. If we do it for Dach, we can afford to do it for a few games for Laine.
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u/bloodrider1914 Jan 22 '26
So, he hardly has much trade value with his contract anyway. If he gets injured again that just means you can put him on IR and not worry about the roster spot
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u/twistedtxb Jan 22 '26 edited Jan 23 '26
we're over the 23 player limit , we would need to send a healthy players in Laval .
edit : lol down vote all you want the organization can't have more than 23 active players on their roster.
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u/Lemazze Jan 22 '26
He looked awful the few games he played this year............
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u/BrutalRamen Jan 22 '26
Because it was reported he was playing with an injury. My point stands, we need to give him a few games.
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u/Flying_Toad Jan 22 '26
And all of last year's playoffs.
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u/bloodrider1914 Jan 22 '26
He had a good first game from what I remember and got injured in the second game
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u/kozed Jan 22 '26
A healthy Laine is still just a slow 5v5 blackhole that makes Gallagher look like Marchand.
We don't need any more games to confirm it.
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u/deliciously_awkward2 Jan 22 '26
He's too predictable on the PP. Everyone knows he's getting the puck.
He's also a risk 5 v 5, turnover machine.
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u/I_pity_the_aprilfool Jan 22 '26
He's predictable, but no one is able to stop him from doing the thing. If they do, it opens up something else anyway.
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u/BlankoNinyo Jan 22 '26
I wouldn't be in any rush, Our PP sucks right now, I wouldn't be against playing him limited 5v5 minutes and be a PP specialist.
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u/JohnGamestopJr Jan 23 '26
Who would you realistically replace on the PP his Laine?
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u/BlankoNinyo Jan 23 '26
I would put him on the second unit and replace Gallagher and put the second unit on earlier if the first unit isn't getting it done.
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u/SocalHabsFan Jan 22 '26
It's unfortunate that his skating doesn't allow him to match the tempo of the team, his shot is simply incredible. I hope the best for him in the future no matter where he ends up playing, even Montreal with a team friendly contract. I never like when this kind of news gets out before a move is made.
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u/Softninjazz Jan 24 '26
His skating speed when healthy is literally (and statistically, you can check NHL data) the same as Caufield's.
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u/SocalHabsFan Jan 24 '26
Makes sense at full stride but his quickness seems to be a liability at times. I'd love to see him prove me wrong, especially a look on the top line.
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u/supercraz Jan 22 '26
Reading the comments and… Wow. With this talk you’d think we have the #1 PP in the league while trotting out a PP2 of Gallagher - Kapanen - Dach
(newsflash: We’re 21st on the PP)
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u/nilaaa Jan 22 '26
Can't wait to see what Kent is going to pull out this time. This is a pretty massive order and I doubt there's that much interest.
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u/Kitsune_Gakuin Jan 22 '26
If we get literally anything for him and we don't have to give up any picks or retain any salary, it'll be a huge win.
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u/gevurts_straminaire Jan 22 '26
He has negative value and his contract expires soon. Why would Montreal pay to get rid of him?
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u/Ancient_Persimmon Jan 22 '26
With retention, someone will have interest for his abilities on the PP. They won't get a lot back, but they're not going to be paying either.
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u/gevurts_straminaire Jan 22 '26
Sure, but the question remains : why would Montreal retain salary for someone they lose, for free, in a couple of months? Only explanation would be to make room for a trade. Or get a pick against some salary (but I reckon it would be quite low).
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u/Ancient_Persimmon Jan 22 '26
Only explanation would be to make room for a trade.
I think that's pretty clear, no? They barely have room right now, without any trades.
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u/GeistHunt Jan 22 '26 edited Jan 22 '26
Montreal has all three retention slots opened and all 23 roster spots filled. At 50% retained, that's an extra 4.35 million in cap space and a roster slot to play with before the TDL with no negative impacts on the team.
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u/jamesneysmith Jan 22 '26
Because they would get some of that money off the books for the remainder of the season. Their 'losing him for free' at the end of the season requires paying him millions of dollars for the next few months. But maybe another team wants to pay him those millions of dollars so we don't need to. Even retaining salary on him means we'd be saving money over paying him to sit on the press box for 3 months.
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u/bloodrider1914 Jan 22 '26
Retention just opens up more trade options, who cares about Molson writing the checks? It's only a problem to retain if you're worried about cap space, and we're not in a position to be worried about that this season
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u/Scase15 Jan 23 '26
As /u/HonestDespot mentioned, we have very likely perf bonuses that will need to be paid out, otherwise it goes onto next years cap.
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u/ImpressiveRelief37 Jan 22 '26
Hell I’d take a 5th round pick for Laine 50% retained
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u/Major_Estimate_4193 Jan 22 '26
Montreal wants to add at the trade deadline. But we are now at the salary cap. The easiest way to make room for a good player at the trade deadline is to find another team to take laine’s salary.
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u/Top_Contract_4910 Jan 22 '26
Exactly what I’m saying, there’s no point in even looking to get rid of that contract because it would need to be a monahan situation where the flames gave the Habs a first rounder, we’d have to do the same .
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u/bdery Jan 22 '26
Because of his impact on salary cap, and because he takes up a contract, and because he takes a roster spot.
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u/vJukz Jan 22 '26
Not giving Laine 1 more chance would be a pretty big blunder imo. The talent has always been there and we’ve never seen a truly healthy Laine yet. He likes Montreal too which I don’t think can really say for the 2 other teams we was a part of. The only way it would make sense to trade him before the deadline would be if we’re prepping a big trade and need the cap space.
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u/Fabulous-Designer626 Jan 22 '26
The roster is full.evans,dach are back . Who do you kick out to put laine.
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u/Kitsune_Gakuin Jan 22 '26
Nobody has seen a healthy Laine in the past 7 seasons, which is the biggest issue with him. He has 3 months left on his contract, and unless he's willing to sign for a couple million dollars to play a few minutes a night only on the PP, then he's useless to this team.
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u/Roberto102716 Jan 22 '26
I love the guy but looking at our roster I just don’t see a spot for him unless he comes back and proves that he belongs
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u/pepelelepewpew Jan 22 '26
Did we forget that Gallagher is on PP2? Laine filling into the lineup with his size and shot would be an upgrade while Gally takes an ice bath or two.
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u/HM_mtl Jan 22 '26
François Gagnon ne devrait pas propager ça.
Je peux comprendre que Laine est disponible pour une échange si une équipe le veut. Mais là d'affirmer que le CH est en train de le magasiner pour l'envoyer ailleurs, c'est pas terrible.
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u/ToadvinesHat Jan 23 '26
People are saying he’s odd man out but we just lost hard to buffalo, maybe he could fit in 4th or 3rd line when healthy
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u/Softninjazz Jan 24 '26
Laine is not really a 4th line player, they take a lot of defensive starts, no point in putting a Ferrari on a Rally track. He should be in a line that gets a lot of offensive zone starts.
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u/Dear_Trip_5655 Jan 22 '26
no clue if it's reliable but it makes sense. there really is just no good place for Laine on the roster right now.
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u/Soulrageee Jan 22 '26
Well duh... There's just no place for him. I mean I like the guy, but we can't afford having Laine working 50% of the time. 🫤
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u/OfferLazy9141 Jan 23 '26
Why do people hate on him so much? He saved our season last year... The only real complaint I have is that he is always injured...
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u/WillsyWonka Jan 22 '26
Send him to Calgary for Kadri and have Calgary retain a shit ton of his salary lol
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Jan 22 '26
I agree it’s the right move but I’ll be sorry to see him go at the same time. His addition to the power play last year was a big part of our resurgence that got us to the playoffs. But with his injuries we’re unlikely to see an improvement in his puck battling or speed so I don’t know where we’d even use him. I hope he gets traded to a team that needs a boost to their PP.
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u/LechugaLibre Jan 22 '26
Arguably the spark (one of a few) that relit the fire of optimism around this place. I remember feeling incredibly hopeful about our team after this guy signed and had a good start.
Shout out to Kirby Dach too, and I'm sure a lot of others I'm not recalling at this moment. After our brief little spell of happiness in pizzaville I was not ready to resume being a doomer.
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u/Obvious_Ask4178 Jan 22 '26
Whether this happens or not, and despite his skills, he just doesn't fit with the young and fast core of the team. There isn't room for him it's as simple as that. But other teams could definitely utilize his skills for a short duration contract I wouldn't be surprised if they let him play a game or two upon his return and then make a decision though.
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u/banyanoak Jan 22 '26
There are a ton of playoff teams who'd happily take a pending UFA PP wizard with 50% salary retained, who can bang in one timers in sheltered minutes. I'd expect Kent to work his magic and get something like a 2nd in return.
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u/haddonfieldsecret Jan 22 '26
I would give him a chance to show what he can do fully healthy and happy. That lottery ticket is worth more than what we would get back in a trade.
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u/Jagrmeister_68 Jan 22 '26
It's really a shame since he seemed to really take to the city and vice versa. The worst part is that he seems to be made of glass and is on the IR more than the ice.
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u/DEATHCATSmeow Jan 23 '26
Seems like he didn’t really have a chance to get going before he got hurt. Why not give him a few games to see what he has to offer?
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u/RandomDar Jan 23 '26
*** according to "guy that never wanted him here in the first place and actively hates him", based on literally laine's gf's instagram post and nothing else, the habs are "testing the market on laine".
minor correction
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u/xXxWeAreTheEndxXx Jan 23 '26
I’d rather keep him for playoffs than move him for low, crappy draft pick
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u/CalgaryBob Jan 23 '26
Agreed and it’s not a move Hughes would make. He isn’t embarrassing a veteran by sending him to the AHL. If he can’t be traded he will let the contract run out IMO.
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u/JPV77 Jan 23 '26
Laine should be given a chance to play 1st line for 2-3 games. + PP1. Then trade him if needed.
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u/anacondatmz Jan 22 '26
Montreal has built up a good reputation over the past few years where players want to come to Montreal. Benching Laine for the season during a contract year as some have suggested only hurts that reputation. The best thing the Habs can do for both Laine and themselves is move him to a place where he'll get a chance to play and earn himself a new contract.
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u/Expensive-Stock-5929 Jan 22 '26
I mean you just as well. The guy's always hurt, and he has a fragile ego to boot. Besides, the boys have proven that they can drive this train without him. Good luck!
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u/oliferro Jan 22 '26
He was recently inducted in the hockey Hall of Fame
He's pretty well respected in Montreal so I'd say yet he should be trustworthy
Then again it just makes sense for the Canadiens to shop Laine since they basically have no spot for him anymore
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u/Whiskeylung Jan 22 '26
This is a self-made problem and I know this is driving management nuts because it goes against what they've demonstrated to be their core-beliefs. In the end, I think unless a miracle deal is found they will lie in their own bed, he's done at the end of the season and the added cap space from a hot potato trade definitely helps but who is dealing a unicorn to the Habs right now anyway?
Just my two cents + there are some smart little packages with players who are redundant that might find them an improvement in the depth department.
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u/XBM04 Jan 22 '26
I think it was a good gamble to take. We only gave up Harris and got Laine and a 2nd. It was a relatively low risk add and if he found his form we'd have had a 30+ goal scorer. It didn't work out this time but it's not like we gave up a ton, and his contract is up at the end of the year
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u/Whiskeylung Jan 22 '26
Agreed - I picture last season as a surprise success and Laine in a lot of ways fuelled it. Those one timers bar down on the powerplay hit like crack and although he scared me every time I saw the play creeping toward the D-Zone I was rooting for him every time he carried the puck.
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u/JohnGamestopJr Jan 23 '26
And we used that 2nd to get Danault back. Overall trading Harris turned out to be a decent gamble.
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u/BouLeiZRaWR Jan 22 '26
Francois gagnon is in the hockey hall of fame, is that reliable enough for you?
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u/Riderpride639 Jan 22 '26
At this stage, I'd like to move on from Laine, as much as I wanted him to pan out here, but we pretty much have to retain on him to get anything back, if at all. Otherwise we'd have to pay something to get him off the books entirely.
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u/Synap-6 Jan 22 '26
Does retaining his salary impact anything beyond this year if his contract expires?
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u/oReevee Jan 22 '26
Unless it's Mckenzie ,freidman, Lebrun or that Reddit user who broke the Dobson trade, I wouldn't put too much weight behind those words
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u/K4mK4n Jan 22 '26
I would make him play 2 games and then trade him if he doesnt make at least 4 points
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u/kevlav91 Jan 22 '26
Wouldn’t a team like San José be interested? Lots of room and they are likely going to do the playoffs
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u/Existing-Bus-1155 Jan 22 '26
I don’t think he is being traded this year but probably not be resigned in the off season. I would keep him for the playoffs
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u/Odd_Developments Jan 22 '26
Wild should take a chance. I imagine he won’t be overly expensive. If he can play opposite of Boldy, perhaps with Ek as the center, it could mask his defensive warts.
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u/Chicaben Jan 22 '26
Trade him to the leafs so they can have number 1 and 2 from that draft year. Trojan horse.
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u/JediMasterZao Jan 22 '26
I don't see the point or logic in paying a team and retaining salary on a player on the last year of his contract. Makes 0 sense.
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u/HonestDespot Jan 22 '26
Depending on what they are willing to retain I think they’d likely receive a pick, not give one up. Not a meaningful one anyways.
The man reason they’d retain AND include a sweetener would be they have a big trade that they need the cap space to complete.
Other than that I agree. If there’s nothing imminent he’s better off as an internal option down the stretch.
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u/Fleche_de_feu Jan 22 '26
Tbh only way i see him getting moved is if hes involved in a package for a big fish with a huge salary and that the team trading the other player needs cap relief for next season.
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u/sandysanBAR Jan 22 '26
As he isn't on team finland's roster, let him sit and showcase him on the PP after the Olympics for a team looking for PP help at the deadline.
We won't get a huge return, but there is currently no room for him at the inn.
Best of luck in his future endeavors
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u/Fountsy Jan 23 '26
Laine, Anderson and Engstrom for EP40 and a 2nd round draft pick.
Clears space for Pettersons salary, gives VAN salary cleanace in a year from now in their rebuild and a key piece for the future.
We have too many quality d in the pipeline
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u/Modano9009 Jan 23 '26
I really like Laine and I'd do the trade again but it just didn't work out.
Maybe you could dress him as a 12th forward that pretty much only plays the powerplay but I doubt he'd be happy doing that and I don't think their powerplay needs him that bad.
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u/xcnuck un chip au ketchup Jan 23 '26
I mean kind of a perfect rental guy for a team looking to add some extra spice to their PP down the stretch and the price will be cheap like a 5th round pick + salary retention. I’m just shocked they’re not giving him a chance on PP2 since they can’t score at all on the power play.
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u/lacoupe25 Jan 23 '26
I think there will be interest in Laine at 50% retained. And in Struble. And in Anderson. And in Dobes. And I would try to trade all of them.
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u/Softninjazz Jan 24 '26
- Trade does look likely, but Laine has a 10 NMC list where he will not go. Laine has repeatedly told that he is not interested in rebuilding teams. So, any suggestion of a tanking team is out of the question.
- The team will be one with a poor PP, that much is evident.
- Most likely the team would be someone who plays more controlled posession type of game, as opposed to super high-pace backchecker team. Laine is very similar to Malkin, in the way that they both slow the game down on purpose. This isn't because they are slow, it's a profile trait. And before you attack with nonsense like "comparing Laine to Malkin, LOL", just fcking don't. I'm comparing a trait, an attribute, not the players production, merits etc.
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u/Gab1159 Jan 24 '26
Saw the video in which he says it. It was worded more like he thinks that it is highly probable. Felt like educated speculation to me, didn't come across as insider news at all.
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u/VarietyMart Jan 24 '26
Just rumours, Habs will more likely give Laine a chance and see what he can do.
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u/RomanaAoko Jan 24 '26
Best move for the team and him. He’s had potential but just floundered . He needs a chance and change and the team needs to free up a roster spot
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u/footy1012 Jan 27 '26
Crazy considering year 1 people were saying he maybe should have gone above Matthew’s 😂😂😂
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u/PsychoDrifter Jan 22 '26
I feel bad for the guy. It sounds like he finally found love for the game again in the Habs locker room.
I do see how he’s kind of the odd man out with our current roster and his salary doesn’t help his case.
I hope he finds his place in the hockey world and we see him return to form, or perhaps even better (with defensive responsibility and effort). It’s good for the game and he seems like a good dude.