Interest in Patrik Laine is starting to heat up just a little as the former Montreal Canadiens winger approaches unrestricted free agency on July 1. After an injury-plagued season that saw him appear in just five games, Laine has become one of the most intriguing boom-or-bust options on the market.
However, not everyone is convinced teams should rush to sign him.
Stanley Cup Champion Offers Caution on Patrik Laine
Laine’s last season in Montreal never really got off the ground. After undergoing core-muscle surgery in late October, he spent most of the year recovering and never found his way back into the Canadiens’ lineup.
The surprising part is that Laine later revealed he was medically cleared and ready to play shortly after New Year’s Day. Even so, Canadiens GM Kent Hughes and head coach Martin St. Louis opted not to insert him into the lineup as the team battled for a playoff spot. While Laine handled the situation professionally, both sides have since acknowledged that his future lies elsewhere.
As teams begin evaluating the talented winger, former NHL forward and 2003 Stanley Cup champion Mike Rupp has issued a warning. “The problem is, he just doesn’t have enough elements to his game. So when he’s cooking, when you’re getting a goal every night from him on the power play, you can live with whatever else,” Rupp said.
Rupp’s main concern is that Laine’s value is tied heavily to his scoring. When the goals are coming, his flaws are easier to overlook. But when they’re not, he doesn’t offer enough in other areas to make up for it.
He pointed to concerns about Laine’s forechecking, puck battles, skating, and overall five-on-five impact. While Rupp still sees value in taking a chance on a player with elite finishing ability, he believes Laine needs to join a team with a strong supporting cast and accept a specialized role.
“Now, is it worth taking a chance? Yeah. Because the one thing he does is really hard to do in this world is score goals. I think he has to be on a team that’s very well insulated. I think he has to accept a certain type of role. It has to be a bonus-laden contract,” he said.
Because Laine spent nearly the entire season on Long-Term Injured Reserve and played only five games, he qualifies for a unique contract structure under the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement.
That creates an appealing opportunity for interested teams.
Instead of committing significant cap space to a long-term contract, clubs can offer a lower base salary while including substantial bonuses tied to games played, goals scored, or other performance milestones.
The setup benefits both sides. Teams can minimize risk, while Laine gets a chance to prove he can stay healthy and rebuild his value ahead of a bigger payday.
As free agency approaches, the Edmonton Oilers, Detroit Red Wings, and Los Angeles Kings are among the teams most heavily linked to Laine.
Whether Laine becomes one of the best bargain signings of the summer or another costly gamble that fails to pay off remains to be seen.
