After a season lost to injury and a silent benching in Montreal, the enigmatic Finnish sniper hits the open market seeking a fresh start and scoring redemption.
The upcoming unrestricted free agent market just got a little more interesting, as Patrik Laine has confirmed he'll be heading to free agency this summer.
Speaking during the Montreal Canadiens' season-ending media availability, Laine made it pretty clear that his time in Montreal is over. The 28-year-old said he's looking forward to seeing what opportunities are out there on July 1 and where his career takes him next.
It was a tough year for him. Injuries limited Laine to just five regular-season games before he underwent core-muscle surgery, essentially wiping out his season. One interesting detail from his media availability was that he felt healthy enough to return shortly after New Year's Day. Despite that, the Canadiens never activated him during their run to the Eastern Conference Final.
Even after missing almost the entire season, Laine still sounds confident in where his game is at. He told reporters he expects to be in the NHL for a long time and doesn't seem concerned about finding another opportunity.
That's probably because teams are always willing to take a look at a player with his skill set.
The production hasn't been there lately, mostly because injuries have kept getting in the way. But pure goal scorers like him don't become available very often. At this point, a shorter-term deal probably makes the most sense. It would give Laine a chance to rebuild some value while joining a team where he isn't expected to be the focal point of the offence.
A few contenders stand out as potential fits. The Edmonton Oilers are always looking for scoring depth around Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. The Vegas Golden Knights have never been shy about taking swings on talented players, and the Carolina Hurricanes could also be a team worth watching if they want another Finnish scoring threat in their top six.
After a frustrating season in Montreal, Laine now heads into free agency as one of the more interesting bounce-back candidates on the market. The talent is still there. The biggest question is whether a new team can help him stay healthy long enough to show it.
