When the Montreal Canadiens announced on August 19th that they had acquired Patrik Laine, the news sent ripples through the hockey world. While it wasn’t shocking that the Columbus Blue Jackets decided to part ways with the Finnish sniper, the Canadiens emerging as his destination was somewhat unexpected.
In the midst of a rebuild, Montreal’s move to trade Jordan Harris—amidst their surplus of quality left-shot defensemen—was foreseeable. However, bringing in Laine, a proven offensive force, came as a surprise. Sweetening the deal, the Canadiens also secured a second-round pick while absorbing Laine’s full $8.7 million contract.
General Manager Kent Hughes explained the rationale behind the acquisition, framing it as a reward for his team’s relentless effort despite being out of playoff contention early the previous season.
“We’re very young,” Hughes elaborated. “He [Laine] may be only 26, but that still makes him an elder statesman on the Montreal Canadiens. And we’re hoping as such that he’ll do his part to help and teach our young players. I get more excited about really good offensive players allowing the rest of the group to learn certain things from them. And I’m hopeful that in that regard, Patrik does that. That doesn’t always happen in the game, sometimes it happens in practice … but I’m a believer that really good offensive players help other players become better.”
Injury and Triumphant Return
Laine’s debut in a Canadiens jersey was delayed after he sustained a knee injury during the preseason, causing him to miss the first 24 games. However, his return on December 3rd at the Bell Centre against the New York Islanders was nothing short of electric.
The fans greeted him with a standing ovation during the starting lineup announcements, and Laine quickly rewarded their enthusiasm. At 7:23 of the first period, he fired a signature snipe from the left face-off circle on the power play, marking his first goal as a Hab. Montreal secured a 2-1 overtime victory, with Laine’s energy injecting life into the team.
Since returning, Laine’s impact has been profound. He scored in three of his first four games and has amassed eight goals and two assists in 13 games, including a hat trick against the Buffalo Sabres on December 17th. His presence has revitalized a team that previously lacked consistency and energy.
Immediate Impact
To grasp Laine’s influence on this young Canadiens squad, a statistical comparison highlights the difference:
| WITHOUT LAINE | WITH LAINE | |
| 24 | GP | 13 |
| 8-13-3 | RECORD | 9-4-0 |
| 19 | PTS | 18 |
| 31st | NHL RANK | 5th |
| .396 | PTS % | .692 |
| 2.83 | GF/GP | 3.38 |
| 3.83 | GA/GP | 2.62 |
| -25 | DIFFERENTIAL | +11 |
Despite limited ice time (14:41 per game on average), Laine leads the team in goals per game (0.62) and has registered 37 shots in 13 appearances. It is important to note that he was limited to 6:15 of ice time in Columbus, with what the team described as “an upper-body injury”. Skating alongside Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook, his line has grown increasingly effective, dominating puck possession and spending more time in the offensive zone.
Future Prospects
With one year remaining on his contract, Laine is eligible to sign an extension starting July 1st, 2025. Both the player and the organization seem to have found a mutual fit—Laine has embraced his role in Montreal, and the Canadiens’ management is thrilled with his contributions on and off the ice.
Given his immediate impact and growing chemistry with the team, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Laine and the Canadiens discuss a long-term future together this summer. For a franchise in transition, retaining a player of Laine’s caliber could mark a pivotal step in turning their rebuild into sustained success.
