The situation surrounding Patrik Laine’s injury is certainly concerning, especially with reports like Anthony Marcotte’s suggesting a potential long-term absence. If Laine’s injury turns out to be as serious as feared, it would indeed create a significant hole in the Montreal Canadiens’ lineup, particularly in one of the top three forward lines.
As Marcotte pointed out, if Laine is sidelined for an extended period, Canadiens GM Kent Hughes may be compelled to make a trade to fill the void. While the Canadiens have a solid pool of prospects and draft picks, making a trade at this time of year—so close to the start of the NHL season—can be challenging. Most teams are focused on finalizing their rosters, and suitable replacements aren’t always readily available.
That said, the Canadiens could take advantage of the long-term injured reserve (LTIR) list to free up salary cap space, allowing them to bring in a higher-salaried player without exceeding the cap. However, finding a quality winger that fits within their needs and timeline could still be difficult.
Hughes would likely look for a versatile, top-six forward to stabilize the lineup, but he’d need to strike the right balance between making a short-term fix and maintaining the team’s long-term plans.
Attendons de connaître la gravité de la blessure de Patrik Laine avant de s’avancer mais ça ne regarde pas bien. C’est extrêmement regrettable ce qui s’est passé hier.
Si Laine est exclu pour la saison, Kent Hughes n’aura pas le choix de réagir « pour être dans le mix » à mon…
— Anthony Marcotte (@anthonymarcotte) September 29, 2024
A Kent Hughes Trade to Replace Patrik Laine?
The Montreal Canadiens were reportedly very close to acquiring Trevor Zegras from the Anaheim Ducks during the recent NHL draft. According to Marco Normandin from HABSolumentFan, the deal was set to include defenseman Logan Mailloux and a first-round pick in exchange for Zegras and a second-round pick. Ultimately, the Canadiens chose not to proceed with the transaction, possibly influenced by the availability of their target, Michael Hage.
Given this background, it seems likely that General Manager Kent Hughes may still be interested in pursuing Zegras. There have been indications that the Canadiens and Ducks have resumed discussions regarding a potential trade. The Canadiens are actively seeking to bolster their offense, which makes Zegras, despite his recent injury challenges, an appealing target.
While there’s no confirmation that a deal is imminent, the previous negotiations and ongoing interest suggest that the Canadiens could explore this avenue again as they look to enhance their roster.
The Canadiens had a trade in place to acquire Trevor Zegras #NHL #NHLTrades https://t.co/V8JWpWrpD6
— Habs Fanatics (@habsfanaticss) August 6, 2024
Replacing a player of Patrik Laine’s caliber via the trade market would be a significant challenge. Laine, despite his inconsistencies, is a rare goal-scoring talent, and losing him to a long-term injury could leave a major void in the Montreal Canadiens’ lineup. That said, Trevor Zegras presents an intriguing option for the Canadiens if they need to bolster their offense.
Zegras’ potential as a Laine replacement:
Offensive upside:Zegras is highly skilled and creative, known for his vision and playmaking abilities. While his style is more focused on creating plays rather than pure goal-scoring like Laine, he still provides solid offensive production. With 80 points over 112 games, he has shown consistent growth in his young career.
Age and contract: At just 23 and signed through 2026 at a reasonable cap hit of $5.75 million per year, Zegras fits within the Canadiens’ timeline for building around their young core. His cap hit also offers flexibility compared to Laine’s, especially given that Laine carries a heavier price tag.
Versatility: Zegras could offer more than just goals. He is adaptable and could fit well alongside a talented scorer like Cole Caufield, forming a dynamic young duo.
Challenges with Zegras as a replacement:
Different player profile: Laine is a pure goal scorer, whereas Zegras is more of a setup man. While Zegras would improve the Canadiens’ offense overall, he may not replace Laine’s goals one-for-one. This could lead to a shift in the team’s offensive structure.
Trade cost: Anaheim would likely ask for a significant return in a Zegras trade. As we know from earlier reports, the Ducks previously asked for Logan Mailloux and a first-round pick. Any such trade would have long-term consequences for the Canadiens’ asset pool.
If I were in Kent Hughes’ position:
I would seriously consider a trade for Zegras if Laine’s injury prognosis is severe. Zegras offers a mix of skill and upside that could help mitigate the loss of Laine while keeping the team’s long-term plans intact.
However, I would be cautious about overpaying. Losing top prospects or multiple first-round picks could hurt the Canadiens’ rebuild efforts. Instead, I would try to negotiate a package that balances both the present and future needs of the team, perhaps leveraging depth from Montreal’s well-stocked defense pool.
In conclusion, a trade for Zegras would make sense if Laine’s injury sidelines him for a long period, but it would depend heavily on the cost and how it fits with the Canadiens’ long-term vision.
