Patrik Laine enters the 2025-26 season with the Montreal Canadiens facing a pivotal year. The talented Finn is in the final year of his contract, carrying an $8.7 million cap hit. This season represents a significant opportunity for Laine to solidify his role within the Canadiens' evolving roster and prove his long-term value to the team.
Laine's journey to Montreal has been marked by both promise and challenges. After being acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets, there were high hopes that he would inject a much-needed scoring punch into the Canadiens' forward lines. While he has demonstrated flashes of his elite shooting ability, consistency and injuries have been factors. Laine himself admitted he almost quit the NHL last season due to off-ice struggles, but his time in Montreal has seemingly helped him rediscover his love for the game.
Looking ahead to the 2025-26 season, Laine's role remains somewhat undefined, adding an element of intrigue to his season preview. The Canadiens' top line of Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Juraj Slafkovsky has established itself as the team's offensive engine. This means Laine will likely slot into the second line, potentially alongside promising rookie Ivan Demidov and either Kirby Dach or Alex Newhook. This line combination presents an exciting blend of skill and offensive creativity, but also raises questions about defensive responsibility. A strong two-way center will be key to its success.
One area where Laine can make a significant impact is on the power play. His lethal one-timer from the left circle is a well-known weapon that can force penalty kills to adjust, opening up opportunities for his teammates. However, cracking the top power-play unit won't be easy, as the Canadiens have other talented players vying for those spots.
Montreal's management, led by Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes, expects the team to take another step forward in its development. The Canadiens' roster is becoming increasingly youthful, with an average age of just 25.35 years, making them one of the youngest teams in the NHL. Key players in this young core include Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovský, and Lane Hutson. Laine's role as a veteran presence within this group will be important, both on and off the ice.
Ultimately, the 2025-26 season is a crucial one for Patrik Laine. He is entering a contract year and will be an unrestricted free agent next summer. A strong performance could earn him a lucrative long-term contract, while a poor one might force him to settle for a shorter "prove-it" deal. Recent reports suggest Laine is motivated to prove his doubters wrong, stating, "Those who bet against me will lose their money".
Fantasy hockey projections suggest Laine could be a bounce-back candidate, with a point projection around 48. However, his history of injuries and inconsistency makes him a risky pick. A realistic expectation might be around 30 goals, with contributions on the power play. The Canadiens don't need him to carry the team's offense but rather provide consistent secondary scoring. With a healthy and engaged Laine, the Canadiens' chances of making another playoff run will undoubtedly improve.
