yardbarker
Patrik Laine's trajectory since being selected second overall in the 2016 NHL Draft has veered far from expectations. Over the past several seasons, his progress has been stymied by a series of injuries, which have significantly eroded his standing in the league.
Across his three full campaigns with the Columbus Blue Jackets and two with the Montreal Canadiens, Laine has suited up for 186 games. While he has managed to contribute offensively, injuries have sidelined him for 55% of his team's contests during that span.
Despite the setbacks, Laine's production has not been entirely disappointing. Over the last five years, he has amassed 74 goals and 151 points while averaging 17:08 of ice time per game. Notably, 39% of his goals have come on the power play, underscoring his continued value in man-advantage situations.
When compared to his 2016 draft peers, Laine still holds his own statistically. He is currently tied for seventh in scoring among that class, trailing Pierre-Luc Dubois—the player he was traded for—by a narrow margin. This is not to suggest he was worthy of his high draft slot in hindsight, but it does indicate he has remained productive relative to his contemporaries.
Key Analysis
Given his defensive limitations, Laine's market is likely confined to clubs desperate for power-play production. At even strength, he would probably be deployed in a bottom-six role, sheltered from tougher matchups. The 2025-26 season saw the Philadelphia Flyers, Calgary Flames, New York Islanders, Chicago Blackhawks, and Los Angeles Kings finish with the league's worst power plays, in that order. However, the Flyers and Blackhawks may prioritize internal development, leaving the Flames, Islanders, and Kings as potential suitors.
Earlier in the summer, Stefen Rosner of The Elmonters linked the Islanders to Laine, but they were only willing to offer a professional tryout contract. Given Laine's two major injuries in the past three years, such caution is understandable. While he is still relatively young and notched 20 goals just two seasons ago, teams will likely want proof of his full recovery before committing to a guaranteed deal.
If Laine signs a PTO and earns a roster spot, his base salary would probably be near the league minimum, with performance bonuses potentially sweetening the deal. Under the collective bargaining agreement, a player with 400 or more games who spent at least 100 days on injured reserve the previous season is eligible for bonuses—Laine fits that criteria. Any team that signs him will aim to mitigate risk, but if he manages a healthy 2026-27 season and rediscovers his scoring touch, the investment could pay off handsomely. A minimum-salary contract with incentives for games played and goals scored seems the most likely outcome.
Originally reported by yardbarker.