Patrik Laine continues to be linked to the Islanders as New York searches for scoring help
Patrik Laine's name continues to surface around the NHL, and the New York Islanders remain one of the teams most frequently connected to the former 44-goal scorer.
Unlike in previous years, however, this isn't about a potential trade.
Laine has been an unrestricted free agent since July 1, meaning the Islanders wouldn't have to give up any assets to bring him in.
If New York believes the Finnish sniper still has plenty left to offer, it could simply sign him to a contract.
That possibility makes plenty of sense on paper.
The Islanders have been looking to add more offense after another season in which generating goals consistently proved to be a challenge.
Few players available on the open market possess Laine's combination of size, elite shooting ability, and power-play upside.
His stint with the Montreal Canadiens didn't unfold as many had hoped. Injuries limited his availability, and consistency remained difficult to find.
Still, when healthy, Laine continued to show flashes of the elite goal scorer who once recorded 44 goals in a single season.
Why the Islanders make sense
New York finished the 2025-26 season with a 43-34-5 record, falling short of becoming a true contender.
General manager Mathieu Darche has already spoken about improving the club's offensive depth, and adding a player like Laine would represent a low-risk opportunity with significant upside.
Head coach Peter DeBoer has traditionally coached structured, defensively responsible teams.
What the Islanders have lacked is a winger capable of changing a game with one shot on the power play.
That's exactly what Laine could provide if he returns to form.
For Laine, the Islanders could also represent an ideal opportunity to reset his career.
A shorter-term contract with a team looking for offense would allow him to rebuild his value while playing an important role.
There is no guarantee a deal gets done, but as free agency continues, New York remains one of the most logical destinations for one of the NHL's most intriguing unsigned forwards.
Would you trade for Patrik Laine if you ran the Islanders?
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