Trading Patrik Laine: the habs would be willing to take a bad contract in return

It's clearer than ever: the Canadiens are trying to trade Patrik Laine.

His wife put in a good word for him on social networks, but more and more people are questioning his future with the Canadiens in the short term.

I say short-term because everyone knows that in the medium term (i.e., this summer), he'll be gone.

With the Habs dealing with a surplus of players (and not bringing Laine into the lineup, even though he seems increasingly ready to play), trading Laine wouldn't hurt the club.

The Habs would undoubtedly like to trade Laine before the Olympics deadline (February 4), so they can move on and not have the issue hanging over their heads any longer.

François Gagnon (RDS) has written an article on the subject.

Basically, it's clear that the Canadiens are looking to trade Laine, and that they're prepared to do a number of things to get it done.

Trading Patrik Laine: easier said than done! https://t.co/X3aSKurQAh

– RDS (@RDSca) January 22, 2026

First of all, no one is going to take Laine ($8.7 million impact on payroll until July 1, 2026) out of Christian charity. It's going to take some help.

Gagnon reports that the Habs will obviously withhold salary (50%) to attract another club. But they'll have to pay—not get paid—to trade Laine. Remember: the Habs got paid to bring Laine to town in 2024.

Since the Canadiens don't want to give away a prospect or a pick, it might also be possible to take an ugly contract in return for Laine's. That's something the Habs would like to do.

Mind you, we're not talking about a huge Jonathan Huberdeau-type contract. We're talking about a contract that can be “hidden” in the minors and that expires this summer.

So we're talking about a trade for a contract on the Habs' lot and the team that would agree to dance with Kent Hughes.

A guy like Gannon Laroque, the dude acquired against Carey Price who will never play a single game in the organization, would be a logical target, in fact.

I don't know who exactly would want a guy who has played in only 43% of the Habs' regular-season games since his acquisition (and 40% of playoff games) and who doesn't have a good work ethic.

But Kent Hughes must be on the case.

extension

For what it's worth, it sounds like people are trying to lessen the impact of the situation by saying that if a deal were to happen, it would be something to consider.

But deep down, I have the impression that the Habs are prioritizing this issue more than we think. That they really want to get Laine out of Montreal fairly quickly.

And why is that? Because right now, it's clear that Laine is very, very close to a comeback. But the Habs can't seem to activate him because of the impact of his contract on their cap. It seems complex, at least.

If Laine is healthy (or becomes healthy in the next few days) and wants to play, the Habs will have to activate him. And that's a problem that can't really be sustained over time.