{"id":469093,"date":"2026-02-24T04:39:22","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T04:39:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/469093\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T04:39:22","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T04:39:22","slug":"eric-engels-suggests-patrik-laine-unlikely-to-play-again-for-canadiens-following-olympics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/469093\/","title":{"rendered":"Eric Engels suggests Patrik Laine unlikely to play again for Canadiens following Olympics"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\nEric Engels suggests Patrik Laine unlikely to play again for Canadiens following Olympics
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Montreal Hockey Fanatics has no direct affiliation to the Montreal Canadiens, NHL or NHLPA<\/p>\n


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\n\t\t\t\t\t \"Jan <\/p>\n

Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

This is news that could make serious waves as the team returns from the Olympic break, and it involves one of Kent Hughes’ most delicate files.<\/p>\n

While attention was focused on Italy, Patrik Laine’s future in Montreal appears to be taking a definitive turn – and not in the direction many fans were hoping for.<\/p>\n

Respected journalist Eric Engels has left the door wide open for an imminent departure of the Finnish forward.<\/p>\n

“Re Patrik Laine: If the 27-year-old Finn sees any post-Olympics action, we expect it to be for someone other than the Canadiens.”<\/p>\n

– Eric Engels<\/p>\n

Such a statement coming from an insider so closely connected to the team is not insignificant.<\/p>\n

It suggests that the Canadiens’ management is actively working to find him a new destination before the trade deadline or the resumption of activities.<\/p>\n

Two major elements in the journalist’s statement regarding Patrik Laine and the Montreal Canadiens<\/p>\n

Engels clearly states that if he plays, it will be “for someone else,” which practically eliminates the possibility of a return in the blue-white-red for the remainder of the current season.<\/p>\n

There is also the “if he plays another game after the Olympic break,” which raises the possibility that Laine’s season could be outright over.<\/p>\n

Engels is casting serious doubt on whether we will see Patrik Laine play another game this season.<\/p>\n

We can agree that for Kent Hughes, the priority will be to maximize the value of an asset who, despite his undeniable talent, no longer appears to fit into the club’s long-term plans.<\/p>\n

The coming days will be decisive, but fans who were hoping to see number 92 unleash one-timers at the Bell Centre will apparently have to forget about it.<\/p>\n

Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics<\/p>\n

POLL<\/p>\n

4 HOURS AGO|290 ANSWERS<\/p>\n

Eric Engels suggests Patrik Laine unlikely to play again for Canadiens following Olympics<\/p>\n

Do you believe the Canadiens should trade Patrik Laine as soon as possible?<\/p>\n

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