To say the 2025-26 campaign was a frustrating one for Montreal Canadiens forward Patrik Laine would be an understatement.
Laine suited up in just five games early in the season for Montreal before a core muscle injury took him out of the lineup and later required surgery.
With the recovery expected at three to four months, Laine eventually returned to practice for the Canadiens but wouldn’t draw into the lineup again for the remainder of the season.
“I kind of figured early on that I probably wasn’t even going to be playing since I had been out for four, five months,” said Laine during the team’s locker cleanout on Monday. “Guys are battling for a playoff spot, and all the guys were playing great. I’d figured I probably won’t be playing but I’ll take this time to support the guys and work hard.
“If the call comes, it comes. If it doesn’t, still keep working. It’s only going to help me in the future, when you work hard every day. That’s kind of how I saw it this year.”
Laine confirmed that he got the green light from the Canadiens’ medical staff to return and that he wasn’t asked to waive his no-trade clause ahead of the trade deadline.
“That’s why I have agents, so I just basically work here,” said Laine of his no-trade clause. “I don’t take part in those conversations, so I don’t really know what was going on with that stuff, but I don’t think I was ever asked personally, no.”
The 28-year-old winger joined the Canadiens via trade in August of 2024, arriving from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for defenceman Jordan Harris and a second-round pick.
In his first season with Montreal in 2024-25, Laine scored 20 goals with 33 points in 52 games. Fourteen of his goals came on the power play and had five game winners.
With his four-year, $34.8 million contract expiring this summer, Laine expressed that he is looking forward to finding another NHL home.
“Just excited where the wind takes me next year,” said Laine. “I’m excited to see new opportunities, see where it goes. I’m not too worried about it right now. Just right now, take a little breather and relax and then get back at it.”
The second-overall pick by the Winnipeg Jets in 2016, Laine had a career season as a sophomore, scoring 44 goals with 70 points in 82 games.
He was later dealt to the Columbus Blue Jackets along with centre Jack Roslovic in exchange for Pierre-Luc Dubois, where he spent four seasons before coming to Montreal.
In 537 career NHL games, Laine has scored 224 goals with 422 points.
Laine believes he still has several NHL seasons ahead of him and that he learned a lot in this past year with Montreal.
“I know I’ll be playing in this league for a long time,” said Laine. “That’s not a question. Never something I’ve doubted. Just going to need an opportunity. In great shape, feel good. Still got a lot of time before next season. That’s definitely something I’m not worried about.
“But I think this year was especially hard since I didn’t play a lot of games and all that but learned things about myself this year I probably wouldn’t have otherwise and learned how to handle tough situations that will last me for a lifetime way beyond hockey.”
