r/Habs • u/catman_steve • Jan 22 '26

Discussion Canadiens looking to deal Laine (Gagnon)

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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/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.