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Laine's Trade Value Rises After Practice Return
25 Feb
Summary
- Patrik Laine returned to practice after core muscle surgery in October.
- His $8.7 million cap hit is manageable due to being in the final year.
- Montreal is willing to retain salary to facilitate a trade for Laine.
Patrik Laine, sidelined since October due to core muscle surgery, has rejoined Montreal Canadiens practice sessions. This return significantly increases the possibility of a trade before the March 6 deadline.
Laine's $8.7 million cap hit initially seems high, but its impact is lessened as he is in the final year of his contract. This situation makes him a potentially low-risk acquisition for a contending team.
Montreal has not yet utilized any salary retention slots, indicating a willingness to reduce Laine's cap hit for a trade partner. Health remains the primary concern for acquiring teams; confirmation of his fitness on the ice in the coming week would boost confidence.
If Laine proves healthy, he could be an attainable and valuable asset for teams needing an offensive boost for the remainder of the season, likely at a minimal cost.
