The Montreal Canadiens’ 2025 season has officially come to a close. They showed growth, gave the Washington Capitals a decent challenge in Round 1, and proved they are heading in the right direction. But while the team showed promise, one player who didn’t leave much of an impression was forward Patrik Laine.
After missing Game 5 in a must-win situation, there are serious questions about Laine’s future with the Habs. With a contract extension decision coming up this July, it’s fair to ask—does Laine really fit into Montreal’s long-term plans?
A Risk That Hasn’t Paid Off Yet
When the Canadiens acquired Laine from Columbus, the move was seen as high-risk but high-reward. The hope was that a new environment would reignite his once-explosive scoring touch. While his shot is still deadly on the power play, the rest of his game has not matched the same level.
This season was also affected by injuries, which made it harder for him to find rhythm. But even when healthy, Laine struggled to adapt to Montreal’s fast-paced, pressure-heavy system. In simple words—he just hasn’t looked like a natural fit.
Defensive Struggles and System Mismatch
Laine’s offensive skills are well known, but when he’s not scoring, he doesn’t bring much else to the table. Defensively, he remains a weak spot. His absence from Game 5 suggests that head coach Martin St. Louis no longer sees him as a difference-maker in big moments.
While injuries played a role in his performance this year, the bigger concern is whether this will ever change. Laine has had multiple injury-plagued seasons in his career. At 27, the potential from his Winnipeg rookie days hasn’t fully translated into consistent top-tier production.
A Big Contract, Bigger Expectations
Laine currently carries an $8.7 million cap hit, including a base salary of $7.1 million—making him the highest-paid player on the Canadiens. With players like Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Juraj Slafkovsky pushing the team forward, Laine’s salary doesn’t match his impact.
In a team building towards long-term success, tying up this much salary in a player who may not be part of that future is risky.
What Can GM Kent Hughes Do?
The Canadiens’ general manager, Kent Hughes, faces a difficult decision. Trading Laine won’t be easy. His contract and recent form mean Montreal would likely need to attach sweeteners like draft picks or agree to retain part of his salary. But with the team still rebuilding, giving away future assets isn’t ideal.
A buyout is technically possible, but even that has drawbacks. According to puckpedia.com, buying Laine out would result in a $3.97 million cap hit in 2025-26 and $2.37 million in 2026-27. With players like Lane Hutson and Ivan Demidov soon needing contracts, every rupee—or dollar—matters.
What’s the Best Path Forward?
The most reasonable path may be to ride out the 2025-26 season with Laine and see if he can turn things around. If not, the Canadiens can explore moving him at the next trade deadline or simply let him walk in free agency.
A low-cost extension could be an option, but only if both sides agree and Laine shows real improvement. Otherwise, the Canadiens might be better off moving on and using that money on a player more aligned with their current system and competitive window.
Patrik Laine’s future in Montreal looks uncertain. Unless there’s a dramatic turnaround, his time with the Canadiens may be nearing its end. For a team on the rise, every roster spot and cap dollar counts—and right now, Laine doesn’t offer enough to justify either.
