Patrik Laine has a lot to prove this season.
After a challenging year and starting his most expensive contract, the pressure is on for him to perform. Laine’s unique style and personality have earned him fans everywhere, but now he faces a new challenge with the Montreal Canadiens.
Last season was tough for Laine. He dealt with injuries, illness, and even had to take time off for personal reasons. This limited him to just nine points in 18 games. His performance was inconsistent, and he hasn’t played an NHL game since December 14th. Now he’s in a new city with new teammates and a new coach .
Fans might be wondering if he can bounce back this season. Laine is expected to play on the second line alongside Kirby Dach, who also hasn’t played in almost a year. If he starts slowly, it’s understandable but won’t be tolerated for long due to his high salary.
Laine’s Fresh Start in Montreal:
The Canadiens are giving Laine another chance, but he needs to deliver. He’s earning $8.7 million per season until 2026, which is hefty for someone who hasn’t been at his best lately. Luckily, the team has the cap space and isn’t aiming for playoffs this year. Still, they hope Laine can help them become contenders again soon.
Staying healthy is crucial for Laine; playing at least 60 games would be his best since leaving Winnipeg in 2020. If he manages that, scoring 20 goals and getting 50 points seems achievable.
Fans might think: Can Laine rediscover his form under the bright lights of Bell Centre?
When he’s at his peak, Laine excels as a rush scorer and power-play specialist. Last year showed glimpses of this talent despite challenges. Some scouts believe Montreal should let him focus on scoring rather than trying to mold him into something else.
“There’s probably more pressure than ever for Laine to perform,” said one scout.
Montreal sees potential in Laine; they’ve heavily promoted him even though they’re not top contenders yet. If you’re following the Habs this season, it will be interesting to see if they can revive his career like they did with Sean Monahan.
The key takeaway? For Laine to shine again, he needs lots of ice time and confidence-building moments.
What do you think? Will we see an amazing comeback from Patrik Laine?