Latest Montreal Canadiens Speculation: Patrik Laine Proposal and Juraj Slafkovsky's Next Deal
The Montreal Canadiens have been quiet so far this off-season, but some interesting speculation surfaced about a trade idea and Juraj Slafkovsky's next contract.
It's been quiet for the Montreal Canadiens since their season ended in April.
The notable news involved the performance of young Habs like Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky and Kaiden Guhle at the recent 2024 IIHF World Championship. Prospect Owen Beck is also standing out during the Memorial Cup.
Most of the Canadiens speculation focused on GM Kent Hughes' plans with his two first-round picks, including the fifth-overall selection, in next month's NHL draft in Las Vegas. However, a couple of interesting items recently surfaced in the rumor mill.
TVA Sports proposed the possibility of the Canadiens acquiring Patrik Laine from the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 26-year-old left winger has been hampered by injuries in recent years and entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program in January.
Laine is a former 40-goal scorer who could bolster the Canadiens' offense when healthy. He carries an $8.7-million cap hit through 2025-26, but the Habs can afford to take on his contract. If Laine doesn't pan out, they can let him walk in two years as a free agent.
The downside is Laine could struggle under the harsh spotlight in Montreal. His injury history is a concern, plus the Blue Jackets could set a high asking price. The Canadiens could also be on his 10-team no-trade list.
The Blue Jackets have a new GM in former Carolina Hurricanes boss Don Waddell. He could shop Laine or listen to calls from interested teams, but he will most likely retain the winger and see how next season unfolds.
Hughes is expected to go shopping for a scoring forward this summer but will likely have younger, healthier, and less-expensive options in mind.
Meanwhile, TVA Sports' Jean-Charles Lajoie spoke with the host of The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro about what Slafkovsky's next contract will look like. The 20-year-old left winger has a year remaining on his entry-level contract and his 20-goal, 50-point performance this season could prompt Canadiens management to sign him to an extension this summer.
Marinaro believes Slafkovsky will get an eight-year contract with an average annual value of $8 million, making him the Canadiens' highest-paid active roster player starting in 2025-26. Captain Nick Suzuki carries a $7.875-million cap hit while Caufield's is $7.85 million.
Lajoie doesn't see the Canadiens paying Slafkovsky more than Suzuki. He anticipates the young winger will get a three-year, $15-million bridge contract and break the bank on the following deal.
Slafkovsky and Hughes could land in the middle, a five-year deal for between $6 million and $7 million annually. Then again, Slafkovsky's agent could bet on his client building on his potential and seek a longer term to push $8.5 million annually.
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