As you may know, Patrik Laine didn’t have to agree to come to Montreal because the Habs weren’t among the teams on his no-trade list.
And according to colleague Maxime Truman, who heard the story from a very reliable source and told it on BPM Sports, we’re talking about the Flyers. Talks between the Blue Jackets and Flyers reportedly broke down when Laine said he didn’t want to go there.
What’s also important to know is that the transaction would have involved Ryan Johansen.
Ryan Johansen is the player whose contract Daniel Brière and the Flyers are currently trying to terminate. It’s not a simple matter, but the player may have done something that would have opened the door to the end of his contract.
The Philadelphia Flyers have placed forward Ryan Johansen on unconditional waivers today for the purpose of terminating his contract due to a material breach. pic.twitter.com/7P9aRhVIl2
– Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) August 20, 2024
All that to say, if Laine declined to join the Flyers, but didn’t have the Habs on his no-trade list, you have to wonder about the Flyers. #CutterGauthier
If we go back to the aborted deal, we see that the Habs acquired Laine and a second pick for Jordan Harris. Kent Hughes agreed to take 100% of the Finn’s salary.
There was no salary dump either, which would have been the case with Johansen’s contract.
It’s also worth noting that Laine was acquired on August 19 and that it was the following day, August 20, that the Flyers announced their intention to terminate Johansen’s contract, as he would not have been the most appreciated player in the Pennsylvania dressing room.
As if nothing ever happens for nothing…
Captain Nick Patrik Laine#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/85V4T11NbC
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) September 3, 2024
Overtime
– The Oilers celebrate.
8⃣ more years of 2⃣9⃣ pic.twitter.com/IOUnqjLvQj
– Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) September 3, 2024
– Leon Draisaitl wasn’t the only player to keep an eye on between now and the end of the summer.
There is still a lot of NHL business that wasn’t completed in the summer months.
Here is a reminder of some of the bigger storylines still unresolved(@RoryBoylen) https://t.co/02LEuV6VcM
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 3, 2024
– Please note.
Most goals against this season:
326 – San Jose Sharks
298 – Columbus Blue Jackets
293 – Anaheim Ducks
289 – Chicago Blackhawks
281 – New Jersey Devils
281 – Montreal Canadiens
281 – Ottawa SenatorsNew Jersey with a goalie is going to be insane. pic.twitter.com/5y3fvogTPM
– Big Head Hockey (@BigHeadHcky) September 3, 2024