The New York Rangers had one of the most disappointing seasons last year and should look to bring in more talent to be a Cup contender.
Heavy.com has a trade idea that sees the Rangers acquiring Patrik Laine from the Montreal Canadiens in an intriguing move.
Rangers acquire:
- Patrik Laine ($2 million retained)
- 2026 third-round pick
Canadiens acquire:
The proposed deal would be an intriguing one as the Rangers would add a former second-overall pick to bolster their offense, while also getting a third-round pick. Montreal, meanwhile, gets a young forward who could use a change of scenery and a defenseman to make the salaries work.
The Rangers would add Laine, who can be a top-six winger, and add some offense they lost from trading away Chris Kreider. Laine is entering the final year of his four-year, $34.8 million deal, but the Habs would retain $2 million on it. Laine has had mixed results in his NHL career, as last season, he recorded 20 goals and 13 assists for 33 points in 52 games. His career high is 44 goals and 70 points.
In return, the Rangers would give up Othmann, who New York selected 16th overall in 2021, but he has struggled to make the NHL roster and could use a change of scenery. He would fit in better with the Canadiens’ young core. Othmann recorded 2 assists in 22 games last season.
Montreal would also add Soucy to make the salaries work. Soucy is entering the final year of his three-year, $9.75 million deal. He would add insurance should the Canadiens trade Mike Matheson or another defenseman, as it’s been rumored.
Laine is Finally Having a Healthy Offseason
Laine has dealt with injuries throughout his NHL career, which have hindered his play.
He was injured at times in his first year with the Canadiens. Yet, he says this is his first full healthy offseason in years, which he believes will help him have success.
“I’ve been able to train well and, above all, be healthy for the first time in a long time,” Laine revealed to Touru. “It’s been a big thing now that I haven’t had to struggle with minor injuries or other challenges. Since the beginning of July, I’ve been on the ice almost every day. Definitely more than normal.”
Laine says the injuries and rehabbing through the summers put him behind the eight ball, and he couldn’t get going to begin the year.
“Last summer, I probably trained for three weeks before the season,” Laine revealed. “I had shoulder surgery and was out for maybe a month and a half. Now I’ve been able to train fully since May. It’s a slightly different starting point for the season, as you don’t have to start while recovering.”
Laine was injured in the playoffs, which led to him being a scratch.
Laine Could Replace Kreider for Rangers
New York could use another top-six forward after trading Chris Kreider to the Anaheim Ducks this offseason.
Trading Kreider was about giving New York more cap flexibility and a chance for general manager Chris Drury to have a different roster.
“There’s only so much to go around in trying to find the pieces that fit under the cap as we tried to re-work the roster a little bit,” Drury said about Kreider. “He’s a Rangers legend and will always be a Ranger in my eyes, and I think in a lot of our fans’ eyes. We were able to work with him and his agent and figure out the best spot for him.”
However, the Rangers haven’t really replaced Kreider’s offense, but Laine would do just that.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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