Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
We have new details on a negotiated trade involving Montreal Canadiens forward Patrik Laine.
Kent Hughes actively attempted to trade the forward before the deadline earlier this month, but keeping the player indicates the general manager refused to pay an exorbitant price to move him out of the city.
Recently, there was uncertainty surrounding a potential near-miss trade involving the Canadiens.
The insider now clarifies that those discussions ultimately did not lead to any concrete agreement between executives, notably because negotiating such a deal involves numerous complex administrative hurdles.
Patrik Laine notably holds a partial no-trade clause covering ten specific teams in the league.
Blocking a move to certain destinations remained a legitimate right for Laine, and that may have complicated matters for Kent Hughes.
“They definitely explored moving money. There were discussions about Patrik Laine ending up either in Philadelphia or Toronto, but it obviously didn’t work out.”
– Elliotte Friedman
Canadiens refuse to attach assets in Patrik Laine trade talks amid $8.7M cap constraints
Absorbing half of the forward’s heavy contract was likely the primary objective for both organizations.
It also suggests that those general managers were likely demanding compensation from the Montreal Canadiens.
Opposing executives clearly wanted to extract an additional asset from Kent Hughes to facilitate the process (such as a draft pick or a prospect)… something Hughes evidently refused to do.
We are talking about a cap hit of $8.7 million for Laine, so this is no small matter.
Keeping his draft picks and young prospects remains Kent Hughes’ priority for now, and this news once again confirms it.
Laine will therefore finish the current season around the team, but evidently in the stands.
Patrik Laine, 27, remains technically sidelined and on the NHL injured list. He is a 6-foot-5 forward and a first-round pick of the Winnipeg Jets in 2016 second overall.
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics
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Canadiens explored multiple Patrik Laine deals, including one with the Maple Leafs
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