The Montreal Canadiens might be closing in on a trade ahead of Friday’s NHL trading deadline.
It could very well involve the Los Angeles Kings.
NHL insider David Pagnotta reported Tuesday that Laine trade talk “has picked up a little more, and I’m told the Kings are circling back on him.”
He adds, “expectations remain high that he’ll be moved this week.”
Pagnotta expressed uncertainty as to whether the Canadiens would retain 50% of Laine’s $8.7 million annual average value.
That could be a key to getting a deal done.
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The Kings already struck before the Olympic break when they got Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers, and Laine would be another big addition.
Laine was once a rising star, and he’s missed most of the season with injury.
Still, The Athletic’s Chris Johnston also believes Laine will get moved before Friday’s deadline.
“Working his way back from core muscle surgery that’s limited him to just five games this season, Laine’s future lies somewhere other than Montreal,” Johnston wrote. “The Canadiens don’t have an obvious spot for him in the lineup and seem inclined to move off his contract in order to clear cap room needed for other moves. While Laine is no longer the game-breaking talent who took the NHL by storm a decade ago, he still possesses a wicked shot and remains a serious power-play threat. The Canadiens have the ability to retain salary on his expiring contract in order to help facilitate a move.”
Laine is on an expiring contract, so the dollars only matter until the end of the year.
That’s the same that the Kings got with Panarin, so maybe this makes sense.
