On Tuesday evening, hockey skills coach Jack Han made his debut on the English side of the Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro to discuss how the Canadiens should approach playing Patrik Laine if they don’t trade him before the trade deadline. The idea of this discussion came after Pierre LeBrun said earlier this week that all options are on the table for Laine when it comes to what will happen with him. With that being said, Marinaro asked Han who he believes would be the best fit as linemates for the Finnish sniper if he’s still on the team come the Habs’ next game on February 26th against the New York Islanders. According to the longtime hockey skills coach, he believes that Phillip Danault would be a great linemate for Laine due to his great 2-way game.

Which potential linemates could ultimately get the best out of Patrik Laine?#GoHabsGo #thesickpodcast @TonyMarinaro @JhanHky pic.twitter.com/EYG3Pdn87q

— The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro (@thesickpodcasts) February 11, 2026

To start his argument, Han mentioned how Laine’s biggest weakness is playing away from the puck, which makes him a clear liability in his own end at even strength. With that being said, he talks about how Laine needs to be with defensively responsible players, but at the same time he also needs players who can get him the puck.

Pierre LeBrun: Re Patrik Laine: I think there’s a chance that his contract gets moved in a bigger deal if there’s something they feel they can do in their top 6; isn’t out of the question that he finishes the year; all options are on the table – Melnick in the Afternoon (2/4)

— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) February 10, 2026

The best example of Laine playing with defensive players who couldn’t get him the puck was when he started the season on the team’s 4th line with Jake Evans and Josh Anderson. As good as both those forwards are defensively, the fact that they can’t drive play and control the pace of the game makes for a bad combination with Laine, who can often be out of position in the defensive zone.

Danault is “underrated as a playmaker”?

Dude got 6 assists all year.

Danault is a good defensive C. Good at faceoffs. He helps the team, but that’s it. I’m tired of hearing about his non existent offense. https://t.co/kzWhzmqSCu

— Jordan Decker (@_JordanDecker) February 11, 2026

This is where Han mentioned that he would like to see him with someone like Danault, who is a very strong defensive player, but at the same time, he has the ability to be somewhat of a playmaker for Laine, who needs someone to get him the puck in the offensive zone. At this point in his career, Danault may not be as good as he once was offensively, but a lot of that has to do with the linemates he has as well as his foot speed.

Danault was never the fastest player, but he was a faster skater during his younger years. He has great chemistry with his current linemates in Josh Anderson and Brendan Gallagher, but both wingers play a style that depends on going straight to the net. This doesn’t give Danault much opportunity to act as a playmaker aside from just getting shots towards the net. With Laine he could potentially feed him for good scoring chances at 5-on-5.

Han mentioned that in some ways Danault is the complete opposite of Laine when it comes to producing offence, which is why he could work. He explains that on the surface Danault looks like he is just a shutdown centre who picks up 45-50 points a season, but when we look at even-strength points only, his numbers are much more respectable next to some of the league’s top centres, as he plays no power-play time. Whereas Laine got most of his production on the power play last season. Not to mention, Laine is a shooter and Danault is a passer, which could form a nice little duo offensively on a 3rd line.

Danault is a strong enough defensive player that he could make up for Laine’s weaknesses and allow the sniper to get the puck in good scoring situations, unlike his time with Anderson and Evans.

Montreal forward Phil Danault with a great play in front and then calls for the puck to set up the goal. Simonac! 4 points in last 3 games. ⁦@OctagonHockey⁩ pic.twitter.com/NkR0ABGXvj

— Allan Walsh🏒 (@walsha) January 8, 2026

On the other wing, Han could see Zack Bolduc, as he has a good shot and could allow Laine to use his playmaking abilities. The only issue is Bolduc isn’t the strongest defensively either, and it could cause that line to struggle getting the puck. However, if it does work, the fact that they have a solid playmaker and two good shooters on each side could make for a lot of secondary scoring.

In conclusion, Han believes the Habs should give Laine the 3 games before the trade deadline by playing with Danault and possibly Bolduc to see if there can still be a fit for the goal scorer on the Habs the rest of the way. The mixture of offence and defence that Danault brings could be exactly what Laine needs to be effective at even strength, but if it fails for those 3 games, the Canadiens could look to ship him out on deadline day.

Do you agree with Han’s reasoning for putting Danault with him, or do you think it’s too late to salvage Laine’s time in Montreal?