$34.8M Canadiens forward quickly confirms his departure from the organization after playoff ending
Fresh off a $34.8M four-year contract, Patrik Laine no longer sounds like part of Martin St-Louis' plans in Montreal, and his latest remarks made that impossible to miss.
A first wave of departures now seems to be taking shape around the Canadiens after internal decisions tied to Kent Hughes and St-Louis.
Following Brendan Gallagher's own comments, Laine openly suggested that his time with the organization is nearing its end heading into next season.
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That caught plenty of people off guard, especially because the Finnish forward didn't just sound uncertain. He sounded resigned.
Laine also shared a detail that changed the tone of the conversation around his season.
According to Patrick Friolet's reporting, he said doctors had cleared him as early as January.
More than that, Laine stated he felt ready to play at that point.
The issue wasn't only health. The issue was that he no longer appeared to have a place in the plan.
Laine's words point to a clean break
That line said plenty. It reflected frustration, distance, and the sense that he already sees the next move coming.
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A healthy player staying out for weeks raises real questions inside any locker room. In Montreal, it only adds to the feeling that this chapter is already closing.
Laine played only 5 games this season, with injury setbacks pushing him to the injured list for long stretches.
Instead of building momentum, his year drifted further from the ice and further from the team's core picture.
Now his expected exit lands in a tense setting. Gallagher also hinted that he could be on his way out, and that gives this summer a very different feel around the Canadiens.
Two veterans sounding disconnected at the same time is never small news. It points to a locker room that could look very different by the time training camp opens.
Laine still believes he has more good years ahead of him, and he made that clear.
The next move belongs to Kent Hughes, but the message from the player already feels loud.
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YESTERDAY
JUNE 2, 2026
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| G | A | PTS | ||
| Shea Theodore | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Brayden McNabb | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Nikolaj Ehlers | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Brett Howden | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Jalen Chatfield | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Ivan Barbashev | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Shayne Gostisbehere | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Tomas Hertl | 1 | - | 1 | |
| William Karlsson | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Jordan Staal | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Jack Eichel | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Mitch Marner | - | 1 | 1 | |
| K'Andre Miller | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Colton Sissons | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Jaccob Slavin | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Cole Smith | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Sebastian Aho | - | - | - | |
| Frederik Andersen | - | - | - | |
| Rasmus Andersson | - | - | - | |
| Jackson Blake | - | - | - | |
| COMPLETE STATS | ||||