The Montreal Canadiens should try to acquire Patrik Laine via trade
By Omar L
If the Montreal Canadiens are still trying to add one of these coveted restricted free agents, Patrik Laine of the Winnipeg Jets has to be the next target.
The restricted free agent frenzy has hit a bit of a wall. Timo Meir remains the only player close to fitting in that high-end group to sign with his team agreeing to stick around in San Jose for four years at $6 million per. The Montreal Canadiens tried to offer sheet Sebastian Aho for five years at $8.4 million, but the Carolina Hurricanes quickly expressed their desire to match it.
Additionally, Brayden Point has voiced his desire to stay with the Tampa Bay Lightning unwilling to sign any offer sheets from other teams. Acquiring Mitch Marner would be difficult considering the contract demands of his camp, but Patrik Laine could work for the Habs.
The growing word is that the Montreal Canadiens have shifted their sights to Laine. David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period gave the conversation life initially, but it’s continued to grow and be discussed by other hockey minds over the past few days.
Multiple teams have considered pursuing Marner, including the NY Islanders & Montreal. Hearing Islanders are serious about pursuit, while Canadiens may be focused on Laine. Whether Isles, or another team, move forward with an offer sheet remains to be seen.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) July 5, 2019
It’s a very simple argument as to why Laine fits on the Habs, and it’s bigger than the team’s Finnish flair.
The 21-year-old has three NHL seasons under his belt after being taken second overall in 2016. Since then, he’s gone on to play in 237 NHL games and put up 110 goals including a 44-goal performance in the 2017-18 campaign. Laine is without a doubt the second coming of Alexander Ovechkin, and it’s incredible how many are deeming this past season a down year for him considering the fact that he still had 30 goals and 50 points total.