Patrik Laine didn’t convince me, part 2

On Tuesday morning, I wrote a text entitled ” Patrik Laine hasn't convinced me“, inwhich many of you called me names, questioned my credibility, my intentions, my knowledge and so on. Except I'm going to tell you a secret this lunchtime: Patrik Laine didn't convince me last night either. The Maple Leafs Marlies line-up was of very average quality – and I'm being kind – and the game was being played at the Bell Centre, in front of thousands of fans sold out in advance. We were entitled to expect Patrik Laine to be even slightly better than the man who finished Monday's game on the breaks. Yes, Laine scored a power-play goal on a superb pass from Ivan Demidov, but he also finished the game at minus-3, being quite invisible at five-on-five.

Martin St-Louis wasn't the only one who didn't have a great game with his second line; quite a few Habs fans could see a cohesion and involvement that was lacking in Laine, Dach and Demidov. No, they didn't feel a sense of urgency last night, when even in preseason, we're entitled to expect a minimum of general involvement.

Offensive players must also come to defend when they don't have the puck, as the Canadiens' head coach often repeats. Especially when you're making $9.1 million this year…Laine told us a few days ago that we'd be able to see the best version of himself this season. If what I saw on Monday and Thursday was the best version of Laine, then there's something wrong. I'm not looking forward to the worst

! Do you think Patrik Laine belongs with Dach and Demidov? #canadiensmtl #2etrio #LCDM pic.twitter.com/zpYsPGKyw3

– BPM Sports (@BPMSportsRadio) September 26, 2025

I'm already wondering when Zachary Bolduc will be called upon to replace Laine – or Dach – alongside Demidov on the second line. It could go fast…

Except you know what I'm not wondering? What salary Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton will offer Patrik Laine to convince him to sign a new contract with the Montreal club. Right now, I don't see how the Montreal management can say to themselves: we see this guy with the team for the long term. Especially since, in terms of culture, seeing a guy like Laine on your second line, with your nugget on the other wing, just doesn't cut it…Here's hoping the Finnish forward gives the team more when the regular schedule kicks in. If Laine doesn't improve and he's paired with Demidov on the second line, it could cost the Habs a playoff spot. Expecting the guy who was like that in Winnipeg, Columbus and last year in Montreal to change was a bit utopian, wasn't it?