Patrik Laine Nears Free Agency After Five-Game Canadiens Season

patrik laine played only five regular-season games for the Montreal Canadiens and finished with one assist. He is now set to become an unrestricted free agent when Montreal's playoff run ends, with the club's season hanging in the balance. The gap between what Laine used to produce and what he gave Montreal this season is the story.

Laine and Montreal

Laine, a 28-year-old forward and former No. 2 overall pick, has yet to play in the postseason. Montreal is staring at Game 7 against the Buffalo Sabres on Monday night, and that result now sits next to his contract clock.

When the Canadiens' run ends, Laine will be out of contract. That leaves Montreal facing a decision on whether to keep working through another year of uncertainty or move on.

Five Games, One Assist

The number that drives the next step is simple: five games. Laine's regular season produced one assist, far from the 60-plus points he used to score with the Winnipeg Jets.

His absence was tied to an abdominal injury, and he has missed so much time that the injury now looks serious. For Montreal, that limits the information available at the exact moment the club has to decide whether to carry him forward.

Canadiens' Decision Looms

That makes the free-agent decision more than a routine roster note. Montreal can evaluate only a short sample from this season, while other teams would have to judge him without a clear read on how much the injury has taken out of him.

The Canadiens may choose to move on rather than face another season built around that uncertainty. If they do, Monday night could end more than a playoff run; it could close Laine's brief stay in Montreal.