'The Habs still have payroll problems, we’ll see what happens with Patrik Laine.'

As we saw last year, Patrik Laine is a special player.

His ability to score on the powerplay is second to none on the Habs...

but at 5-on-5, its not always easy.

You can tell hes putting in the effort this summer, and thats encouraging.

Nick Suzuki & Patrik Laine working on one-timers in Brossard today pic.twitter.com/t0JwXTnAWS /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) July 22, 2025 And in 2025-26, Laine will enter the final year of his contract, which pays him an average of $8.7 million a year.

Thats a hefty cap hit ...

but its especially noteworthy in light of the fact that the Canadiens are currently over the salary cap.

Many people expect Carey Prices contract to be traded in September , but right now its still on the Habs books.

Thats why its interesting to note that last night, on Tony Marinaros Sick Podcast , Eric Engels talked about the CHs powerplay...

and he had this to say about Laine: The CH still has payroll problems.

Well see what happens with Patrik Laine.

Eric Engels Do the #GoHabsGo have the best 2nd powerplay unit in the NHL? @EricEngels : Theres no reason why they shouldnt have one of the top 10 powerplays in the league this year.

If theyre healthy, it has the potential to be top 5 #thesickpodcast @TonyMarinaro pic.twitter.com/6bQyQKAYZM The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro (@thesickpodcasts) July 22, 2025 [content-ads]Its pretty peculiar that he mentioned this when the conversation wasnt even about Laines salary in the first place...

but mostly, because we know Engels is well connected to whats going on with the Habs.

Does he know theres a chance of Laine being traded soon? Mathias Brunet also said earlier this summer that he felt the Habs were trading Laine right now ...

and when you look at all this, you have to wonder if the Finn will actually start the year in Montreal.

Once again, the salary cap problems will be solved if Prices contract is traded (which is likely to happen in September)...

but that doesnt stop the Habs from trading Laine either, either as an alternative if they cant trade Prices contract, or to get more leeway.

Well have to keep an eye on this, but its interesting to see Engels mention Laines case when talking about the Habs payroll problems.

Because yes, its also a way to solve the problem...

especially since the Habs can facilitate a transaction by withholding salary .

[spacer title=Overtime]- Kaapo Kakko signs for three years with the Kraken.

Seattle and Kaapo Kakko avoid arbitration 3 x $4.525M Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 22, 2025 The Oilers are looking for another top-6 player.

David Pagnotta: The Oilers...they are looking for another top six guy Hello Hockey (7/19) NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) July 22, 2025 Weird story.

His 2016 doping story comes back to the surface.

https://t.co/4O9MmrMyYq Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) July 22, 2025 This article first appeared on Dose.ca and was syndicated with permission..

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