Before the 2024-25 season, the Montreal Canadiens were hoping to add some scoring to their lineup by trading with the Columbus Blue Jackets for forward Patrik Laine. However, since that trade, injuries have limited what he can do; he has played in only 57 games over the past two seasons, but he has 20 goals in those games.
Laine appears close to returning after suffering a core muscle injury earlier this season, but the challenge for Montreal is that they don't really have a spot in the lineup for him. This means that the team might be looking to trade him before the trade deadline next month.
The Canadiens might not get much in return as Laine has been injury-prone, and teams are unsure what exactly they might get. There are teams, though, that might be willing to take on that risk depending on what the asking price is.
When looking around the league, these are three teams that could make a lot of sense for the Montreal Canadiens to reach out to in hopes of facilitating a trade.
Buffalo Sabres
One of the obvious teams to reach out to first is the Buffalo Sabres, as they have stormed back this season to get into playoff contention. They are a team that could use scoring in their Top 6, and Laine would be a good veteran to help fill that void.
In addition to the need itself, the Sabres now have Jarmo Kekalainen as their general manager after he replaced Kevyn Adams in December. The reason this is important is that Kekalainen was the general manager in Columbus and made the in-season trade in the 2020-21 season with the Winnipeg Jets.
The Sabres are currently 10th in the league in goals scored per game at 3.28, but rank near the top of the league in goals scored by their defensemen. They could use a little more scoring among the forwards, and Laine could certainly help in that regard.
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers were able to agree to a two-year extension with Connor McDavid before the start of the season. This at least eliminated the storyline about whether or not he might leave after the season, but the fact that it was only a two-year deal showed that McDavid was committing for a bit, but the Oilers had to show they could put a team together around that not only can compete, but win a Stanley Cup.
Unfortunately, that is not how the season has played out, as they have 58 points through 52 games, and while they are second in the Pacific Division, they are only fifth in the Western Conference.
McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have done most of the scoring for the Oilers this season with 55 goals combined, but a returning Zach Hyman has helped with 19 goals in 33 games. However, they still need more help, and Laine would be a good fit in a veteran-type team that is trying to win now.
Washington Capitals
The other team that could be interested in trading for Patrik Laine is the Washington Capitals, who are not hiding their desire to add a forward before the trade deadline. Recently, Tom Gulitti with NHL.com wrote that the Capitals general manager, Chris Patrick, said they "are "actively pursuing" trying to acquire a skilled wing to play at the top of their lineup."
While almost every team is looking for that, they are tough to find, but a player like Laine could make sense as a "low-risk, high-reward" type move. The Capitals are also in a win-now mode as Alex Ovechkin is coming to the end of his storied career, and Washington would love nothing more than to give him the chance at one more Stanley Cup.
Laine isn't guaranteed to do that but is a player that could certainly help in that quest. The chance to add a player with a career shooting percentage near 15% would be a good fit in the Top 6 for the Capitals.