The Montreal Canadiens have been one of the more active teams in the offseason, and one analyst doesn’t think they should be done.
NHL analyst Adam Wylde of SDPN believes Montreal should look to trade sniper Patrik Laine this offseason, as he doesn’t think Laine fits in with the group.
“We talk about a boring trade market, what does a 50% retention for one more year (look like for Laine)… You can maximize some serious value, and maybe you don’t get the 2C before the season starts, but people are going to fail,” Wylde said. “Somebody is going to trade a 2C eventually. You can see if you can find some value for Patrik Laine and then parlay those resources into a 2C.”
As Wylde says, the Canadiens could look to acquire a second-line center for Laine, or use the assets from a Laine trade to acquire one.
Laine is in the final year of his four-year, $34.8 million deal, and although he hasn’t lived up to the second overall hype, he is still a good goal scorer. Laine can be a good power-play option and goal scorer on any team.
The former second overall pick recorded 20 goals and 13 assists for 33 points in 52 games.
Laine Had Mixed Results With Canadiens
Montreal traded for Laine to add some more scoring to the lineup, but he struggled.
Laine dealt with some injuries throughout the season. But, down the stretch, as he was trying to play through the injuries, his play was impacted. The sniper was benched and scratched down the stretch and in the playoffs, which coach Martin St. Louis says was a decision he needed to make.
“They’re decisions you make as a coach,” said St. Louis. “I shortened my bench by a lot in the third. Honestly, I went with the nine or 10 (forwards) who I thought could help the cause.”
Laine did skate in 2 playoff games, but didn’t score as he had just 1 assist.
Canadiens Open to More Moves
Montreal has already made two big moves this offseason, acquiring defenseman Noah Dobson and forward Zachary Bolduc.
Although the Habs have done a good job addressing their needs, executive vice president of hockey operations Jeff Gorton says the team is ready to make another trade if needed.
“I think so,” Gorton said in an interview with the “Basu and Godin Notebook” podcast. “The Dobson deal’s an interesting one. It’s not like we set out to get a right-handed defenceman. But obviously, we’re looking for core pieces of a certain age, a certain talent level. You know, there’s a lot of talk of getting a second-line center, there’s all this talk… As far as the trade for Bolduc and Dobson, I think we accomplished a lot there. Did we do everything we set out to do? I don’t know. Maybe we’ll have to wait a little while to answer that one.”
As Gorton says, a center has been considered a need for the Canadiens, which is why he isn’t ruling out making a move. But, for now, Gorton and the front office are happy with the moves they have made in the offseason.
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