It’s been a strange week for the Montreal Canadiens. The optimism that carried the team through their strong start suddenly feels a little thinner. One of the team’s top forwards is now facing a lengthy absence, and talk around the league has turned to what this means for his future with the club.
Is Patrik Laine’s Future in Montreal Now in Question?
That chatter now carries real weight. The team’s $34.8 million star, Patrik Laine, will miss roughly three to four months after undergoing core muscle surgery in New York. The procedure, handled by Dr. Mark Zoland at Lennox Hill Hospital, was successful, but recovery could push well into February.
What began as a minor issue apparently worsened after Laine sought a second opinion, an outcome neither he nor the Canadiens were hoping for.
The Athletic’s columnist Chris Johnston pointed out that this season already carried big implications for Laine and not just because of his contract.
“The 27-year-old is facing league-wide questions about how effective he can be as an all-around contributor. The booming shot is still there – he scored 20 goals in 52 games for Montreal last season – but the rest of his five-on-five game will dictate how much faith a team will have in signing him to his next NHL contract,” he wrote.
That question feels a little heavier now that the winger is out once again.
Laine’s $34.8 million deal, with an $8.7 million cap hit, expires at the end of the season. His talent has never been in doubt, but his availability often has. Since 2019, he’s struggled to stay healthy, never topping 56 games in a single season. For a player once viewed as a perennial 40-goal threat, those numbers make the future far murkier.
Behind the scenes, Montreal seems to be approaching this with caution and strategy.
As reported by TVA Sports’ Nicolas Cloutier, the Canadiens won’t rush to place Laine on long-term injured reserve (LTIR). Keeping him on the regular injured list lets the team bank daily cap space, a move that could give GM Kent Hughes close to $18 million in flexibility by the trade deadline, according to PuckPedia.
The timing couldn’t be tougher for Montreal. The team had found early rhythm in the Atlantic Division, and Laine’s presence added another layer to their power play. In five games before the injury, he had just one assist, but his release and range continued to draw defenders. Now, head coach Martin St. Louis is left reshuffling lines and searching for new chemistry far sooner than expected.
The months ahead will tell the story. If Laine recovers well and finishes strong, he could still earn a place in Montreal’s long-term picture. If not, both sides may have tough choices to make when his deal runs out.
The Canadiens can only adjust and push forward, hoping their depth and resilience hold while one of their most skilled players works his way back to full strength.
