Post-Game Talk: A Pure-Laine Hat-Trick in Montreal vs the Sabres

[Prettyisland]

Now we're talking, love it

I truly think that even if he’s lighting it up GMs will be apprehensive about adding PL mid season, taking him out of a situation he’s clearly found to be healing. I’m all in. I’d be taking advantage of the honeymoon stage and getting him to extend on a discount

 

[Jurivan Demidovsky]

Blasphemy. That's not what's best for the player or the team. He needs stability, and we need to guarantee he's part of our team for the next decade.

 

[Habs Icing]

Imagine what Laine could garner us at the trade deadline if his production continues?

Magic beans?

 

[Jurivan Demidovsky]

Magic beans?

Just the thought of trading him is infuriating honestly lol.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Just the thought of trading him is infuriating honestly lol.

Just hope that he's thankful enough to the city and the team that he wants to stay long term on a sweetheart deal.

 

[Jurivan Demidovsky]

Just hope that he's thankful enough to the city and the team that he wants to stay long term on a sweetheart deal.

I think he will, guys like him are born for this city. This is the big show.

 

[Habby4Life]

I think he will, guys like him are born for this city. This is the big show.

Yep, he is the right age for the rebuild. If Demidov is what every thinks, just need a 2c and they have there top 6 locked in, just rebuild bottom 6 and supplement D.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

A sweetheart deal is nice but it's proffesional sports , I wouldn't bank on it.

Same reason I think Evans is probably gone. That said if Laine wants around 7 maybe 8 he can have it for sure , I'd still be reluctant on a very long term contract because of past history regardless of how well things are going after 7 games...

I think he will, guys like him are born for this city. This is the big show.

All signs point to it for sure , and for a guy like Laine hapiness and stability is probably more important at this point in his career but money is money and the league is a business

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Imagine what Laine could garner us at the trade deadline if his production continues?

Just a thought.

IF his ES play doesn't get better, it's a thought i would definitely entertain. That haul would be tremendous considering the possible salary retention.

Both occupied retention slots get freed next July on top of freeing ~4m in cap space. Mid to late 1st + solid prospect/young player ++.

 

[Bruce Granville]

Yeah, rather trade him to a contender with 50% retention for 3 1st round picks and a bunch of depth players than to keep him and sign him for 8x12.5 with the raising cap…

 

[Toene]

On leur a vomi dessus.

What is a massive night?

Stuff your face with smoke meat?

The classic Chez Parée to Reubens itinerary. You look at smoked meat, then go order some on rye bread.

 

[Goalfield13]

Laine is 26, not 31. He's part of the core now. We are not trading him.

 

[the]

I'm down to trade anyone and anything to help the rebuild but do not touch my Laine! We finally have a superstar player. I don't care what's the return. He belongs here in Montreal.

 

[Toene]

im in love with 2 men

I'm in love with only one :

 

[ChesterNimitz]

IF his ES play doesn't get better, it's a thought i would definitely entertain. That haul would be tremendous considering the possible salary retention.

Both occupied retention slots get freed next July on top of freeing ~4m in cap space. Mid to late 1st + solid prospect/young player ++.

I would suspect that a contending team would pay heavily as special teams play an ever more important role in the playoffs. I would discreetly let in be known that Laine maybe available for the right price. Then let the bidding war begin. Contending teams will grossly overpay to prevent a rival team (s) from obtaining a weapon that could be the difference in a seven game series.

If Laine stays healthy and continues to be a force on the power play, his market value may never be higher. If it's me, I pull the trigger if the deal / return is substantial.

Laine is a highly perishable asset. One check and a resulting injury and his value evaporates.

Immediately.

 

[Rapala]

I mean, Laine has goals from his one timer on the PP, his success has been pretty specific, he still has tons of rust in the other parts of the game.

I mean he currently has a choice of three center icemen who's production aggregate isn't really close to a PPG.

 

[Jurivan Demidovsky]

Yeah, rather trade him to a contender with 50% retention for 3 1st round picks and a bunch of depth players than to keep him and sign him for 8x12.5 with the raising cap…

He won't ask for 12.5, I have a feeling he will buy into our team concept and remain at his current cap hit of 8.7 million. He's the highest paid player on the team. 8 years @ 8.7 million

 

[morhilane]

All of you talking about extending Laine are aware that he is still under contract next season? There is plenty of time to see what he still has to give outside the power play before thinking extension and for how much/how long.

 

[Rapala]

Imagine what Laine could garner us at the trade deadline if his production continues?

Just a thought.

I don't believe Hughes would retain with another full year left on his contract.
Next year however...

 

[waitin425]

No one is untouchable, but I have zero interest in trading Laine. Next summer, we need to go all in on resigning him 8 years and in line with the rest of our guys. With a rising cap, the percentage increase would put him about 8-8.5 million.

I am seeing a 2026/27 Salary cap projections anywhere from 97 million to 112 million. Let's for arguments sake say 100 million.

If it hits that height and with Anderson and Gally soon coming off....we could go as high as 10 million for Laine and still have room for future Demidov, Hage and Hutson discussions.

 

[Rapala]

All of you talking about extending Laine are aware that he is still under contract next season? There is plenty of time to see what he still has to give outside the power play before thinking extension and for how much/how long.

I would think we have to find him a center before he would re-sign here anyways.

 

[Frank Drebin]

laine and lane. Laine will produce superior offspring for farming

I'm in love with only one :
View attachment 947478

omg

 

[Benstheman]

lol at trading Laine. Come on guys. He fits perfectly our timeline. He is big, talented and seemingly likes to play here (maybe for now).

You trade him and Demidov has nobody to play with next season.

Also, nobody will pay the price Hugues would ask for him after about a half-season of play only. Laine is still a risk. But we are the perfect place for him to get back to form without the pressure of winning. At this point, everything he gives us is a bonus.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

No one is untouchable, but I have zero interest in trading Laine. Next summer, we need to go all in on resigning him 8 years and in line with the rest of our guys. With a rising cap, the percentage increase would put him about 8-8.5 million.

I am seeing a 2026/27 Salary cap projections anywhere from 97 million to 112 million. Let's for arguments sake say 100 million.

If it hits that height and with Anderson and Gally soon coming off....we could go as high as 10 million for Laine and still have room for future Demidov, Hage and Hutson discussions.

8 years at $10 million for a particularly fragile player is a bold move. Maybe even a bit too bold for my liking/comfort. His past and continuing injury history will (should) give any general manager pause before tying up almost 10% of a team's cap over the next decade for an injury prone player. .

 

[ahmedou]

That's not everyday we've hats on the ice.

Most of the time we got garbage on the ice