The honeymoon phase between the Montreal Canadiens and Patrik Laine hasn’t just ended—it may have officially hit a dead end. According to top insiders and growing whispers around the Bell Centre, the «Finnish Flash» may never wear the iconic blue-white-red jersey again.
A Failed Gamble?
When General Manager Kent Hughes acquired Laine, it was seen as a low-risk, high-reward gamble to inject elite scoring into the lineup. While Laine showed flashes of his former self last season, his second year in Montreal has been plagued by questions regarding his commitment and fit within Martin St-Louis’ system.
Prominent analyst Tony Marinaro dropped a bombshell on TVA Sports, stating bluntly: «I think Patrik Laine has played his last game with the Canadiens.» Fellow insider Marc-André Perreault reportedly agrees, signaling that the organization may be ready to turn the page on this short-lived chapter.
One Final Appearance in Winnipeg?
The timing of these rumors is particularly explosive. The Canadiens face the Winnipeg Jets this Wednesday—the team where Laine’s career began—right before the two-week Olympic break. With the team recently placing Samuel Blais on waivers, a roster spot has technically opened up.
While there is a «very small door open» for Laine to suit up one last time against his former team, many believe management is simply preparing to move on. If he doesn’t hit the ice on Wednesday, the Laine era in Montreal will go down as one of the shortest and most polarizing experiments in recent franchise history.
The Turning Point
The long break following the Winnipeg game will give Kent Hughes the perfect opportunity to finalize a decision. Whether it’s a trade, a buyout, or a permanent benching, the message from Montreal is becoming clear: the team is prioritizing chemistry and commitment over raw, inconsistent talent.
Do you think the Canadiens are making a mistake by giving up on Patrik Laine so soon, or was this a gamble that simply didn’t pay off?