The Habs failed to trade Patrik Laine even though they were willing to retain salary

Marc-Olivier Cook
The Habs failed to trade Patrik Laine even though they were willing to retain salary
Credit: Getty Images

The Canadiens wanted to trade Patrik Laine.

Kent Hughes wanted to find a partner to dance with… but in the end, it didn't happen.

No, the Finn wasn't traded… at least not yet. We thought there was a chance he might leave the Canadiens before the trade freeze ahead of the Olympic break, but oh well.

Does that mean Laine won't be traded before the trade deadline?

No. Not necessarily.

But it does mean that the habs had a hard time finding a team that was willing to take on Laine and his salary. And that's despite the fact that the habs were willing to retain a large portion of his salary and add a complementary piece to facilitate a trade.

Nick Kypreos discussed this in a recent article: 

Clearly, interest in Patrik Laine is minimal across the NHL.

The player was not in demand… and that certainly complicates things in the end. But it's also normal in a way: Laine has hardly played since the start of the season, he missed a good part of last season, and with the salary he earns ($8.7 million), he's not a super attractive player.

We know he's good on the power play, but he struggles in other areas. And for a guy who makes that much money (even at 50% of his salary), it's a lot to ask because he has to play a limited role on the ice. 

That means questions will continue to be asked in Montreal.

We'll continue to wonder if he can help the Canadiens and if he'll make a comeback in Martin St-Louis' lineup. Remember that he won't be playing tonight in Winnipeg… and that there will be three games on the schedule after the Olympic break before we reach the trade deadline.

This is a story to watch, then. But, like many others, I would have liked to have had a clearer answer today about what will happen in the coming weeks.


Overtime

– Okay.

– He's right.

– Great…

– Sick.

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