New details reveal the lengths Kent Hughes and the Canadiens explored to move Patrik Laine
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The Patrik Laine file has just hit a concrete wall. With the roster freeze for the Olympics now in effect, the reality is a painful one for the organization.
According to Nick Kypreos, Kent Hughes tried everything to move the Finn before the 3 p.m. deadline. Let’s be honest — no one in the NHL wanted to touch his contract.
We have to tell it like it is: the Canadiens were even ready to retain a large portion of the salary. That shows just how badly management wants to turn the page quickly.
Despite that salary retention, none of the other 31 teams took the bait on the forward. It’s a slap in the face for a player who once scored 40 goals in this league.
We’re talking about a situation where Montreal was even willing to include an additional asset to help facilitate the trade. When you have to pay to move a player, it means his value has hit rock bottom.
“Montreal is looking to move out his money and might be willing to spend an asset to do that. The Canadiens are prepared to retain a good chunk (even up to 50 per cent) of his deal, considering they haven’t used any retention slots and because Laine’s contract expires at the end of the season anyway.”
– Nick Kypreos
Last night, any hope of a change of scenery evaporated with the league’s radio silence. Laine remains with the Montreal Canadiens, and his heavy contract continues to weigh on the cap.
An ice-cold market for the Canadiens
The quick reset fans were hoping for won’t happen before the end of the Olympic Games. This is a situation that will continue to hang over the locker room during the break.
Kent Hughes’ rebuilding plan hits a snag with this glaring lack of interest.
Today, fans wake up with the same distraction still looming overhead. Patience is a virtue, but it’s starting to wear thin when it comes to No. 92.
The next window won’t open until after the international tournament, leaving little room for error.
Hughes will have to be extremely creative to avoid being stuck with this contract through the end of the season.
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New details reveal the lengths Kent Hughes and the Canadiens explored to move Patrik Laine
Will Kent Hughes end up trading Patrik Laine before the end of the season?