Will the Montreal Canadiens Move Patrik Laine?
Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period joined TSN Radio in Montreal on Tuesday and was asked about the likelihood of the Montreal Canadiens trading Patrik Laine at the trade deadline. Pagnotta says the expectation is that they are trading him.
NHLRumors.com Transcriptions
NHL Rumors: Montreal Canadiens, Patrik Laine, and Potential Destinations
Host: “Dave, what do you think the likelihood is, give us a percentage chance that the Canadiens can move on from Patrik Laine?”
Dave Pagnotta: “I was told a pretty decent one, and I was told that the expectation is that he will be moved by Friday’s deadline. Now, expectation is no guarantee, because it does take two to tango here, but the belief and the expectation on both sides is that they’ll be able to pull something off by the deadline. So I put it a little over 50% based on that, but again, they’ve got to find A, the right match, and then B, I’m sure they’re going to have to find the right finances that align with whatever the trade is going to be.”
Host: “You think LA?”
Pagnotta: “Well, LA has been there. They’ve had those conversations, but they had those conversations before they were detrimented by additional injury, before Andrei Kuzmenko was knocked out for the rest of the regular season. They had those thoughts with the Habs, and it just didn’t seem like it was a fit bet. LA is looking for more of a puck possessor, facilitator type, but based on how they played to this point, since the break, they’ve made the coaching change.
NHL Rumors: Los Angeles Kings, Montreal Canadiens, and an NHL Trade Watch List
And they lost another forward in Kuzmenko. Oh, they had three rookies make their NHL debuts last night. So they’re thin right now. They may change that mindset. They’ve got cap space certainly to play with. It wouldn’t shock me if they circle back, but as of yesterday evening, I’m not sure if that’s happened yet.”
NHLRumors.com Note: It made the most sense that the Los Angeles Kings were going after Patrik Laine of the Montreal Canadiens. Once Kevin Fiala got hurt, they needed to replace his offence. Now with Kuzmenko done for the season, the logical landing spot is Los Angeles for Laine. There were reports that the Kings were looking in another direction, but at 50 percent retained, it makes sense. Laine is currently at $8.7 million AAV. At $4 million, it is good for Los Angeles as they look to get another center.
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