“It’s not out of the question that Patrik Laine could finish the year in Montreal.”

Charles-Alexis Brisebois
“It’s not out of the question that Patrik Laine could finish the year in Montreal.”
Credit: Screenshot / X

Following the trade deadline, Pierre LeBrun appeared on TSN 690 to discuss several topics.

Among them was, of course, the Patrik Laine situation, who was not traded before the trade freeze. The situation is one to watch, as he will likely be sent elsewhere by March 6, the deadline.

That's what everyone thinks. But what if he wasn't traded?

Last week, Pierre LeBrun opened the door to the possibility that the Canadiens might not trade Laine and simply finish the season with the Finnish player on their roster.

This is the first time such a possibility has been raised recently.

LeBrun didn't say that Laine would play with the Canadiens again. But what we need to understand is that he's not the first to open the door to the habs trading Laine for a specific reason—and not just for the sake of it.

What this means is that if the Habs don't want to go out and get a forward, they could simply keep Laine instead of paying to trade him for no reason.

It's a valid point of view.I still think trading him would be better, but we understand why the habs might not be in a hurry to make a move.

Remember, there are three games left before the deadline. After that, the habs will have to comply with the salary cap, but they won't have to limit themselves to 23 players on their roster.

It should also be noted that if the habs retain salary in a trade involving Laine, it would affect their playoff payroll. If he's on the roster and not playing, the Finnish player would have no impact on the playoff payroll.

But let's say that despite all that, trading him would be better.


Overtime

– Yes.

– Interesting.

– Indeed.

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