Montreal Canadiens winger Patrik Laine has a path to more minutes this season, after averaging a career-low 14:18 in ice time last season. Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes met with Laine to discuss areas he could focus growing in to earn a hardier role in the lineup, shares Sportsnet’s Eric Engels.
Laine finished the season with 20 goals in 52 games, but Montreal was also outscored 17-to-26 when Laine was on the ice at even-strength. Questions about Laine’s effort outside of the defensive zone have existed since his rookie season, but it’s hard not to imagine those are the attributes the Canadiens would like to see more. Finding an added step towards opponents in the defensive zone, and winning more battles in the dirty areas of the ice, would go a long way towards helping the 6-foot-4 Laine fit in with an otherwise undersized top-six. Laine reached the 30-goal mark in each of his first three seasons in the NHL, and could be a real X-factor in the Canadiens lineup should he take the necessary strides.
Other notes from around the league:
- NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly elaborated on upcoming changes to the league’s use of long-term injured reserve in an interview at the NHL’s pre-season coaches/GM meeting. He received many questions on the league’s new rule that playoff lineups must be cap-compliant. That includes one from Engels, who asked if there would be exceptions made for players working back from injury who are game-time decisions. Daly did not have an answer, other than to say that the league will answer that question in the future. The Stanley Cup playoffs are eight months away, allowing for plenty of time for the league to continue sorting out how they want to carry out changes to the CBA.
- More light has also been shed on the league’s upcoming shift to an 84-game schedule, set to begin in the 2026-27 season. With that expansion, the season will be slated to begin in late-September and end in mid-June, per Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic. The shift to an earlier start to the season will be welcomed by many hockey fans, though a heavier workload will keep the season’s end tight to the NHL Draft and start of free agency on July 1st. That will be bittersweet news for many, especially NHL front offices, who have recently urged for a longer break between the end of the season and start of free agency.
Patrik Laine is Montreal’s best forward, Period!
I’ve said stupid things on here
And that statement makes me look like a genius
If Laine is healthy, He’ll lead Montreal in scoring this season.
Like players, Wilf/Sparky is still on summer vacation. Wait. until he gets to training camp and gets back up to his version of game speed. He will spend the winter tapping out posts that will make that one seem completely level-headed.
Nick Suzuki is by far Montreal’s best forward
The NHL season is already too long. Quantity does not make quality.
Honest to God. Present the Cup in July….maybe August…pathetic
Yes, a couple additional games are going to stretch the season for months. Seems that math is not one of your stronger skills. Here is a possible solution for you: skip two games during the season and it will be like things never changed, and maybe it cuts down your misery a bit.
Ya, those 2-4 extra days are going to be brutal.
It seems reading is not your strength – “already too long.” I’m advocating (that means I’m supporting the idea) for shortening the existing season. Have a good day.
Sarcasm doesn’t seem to be your strength. It’s an increase of 2.5% more games. They’re grown men. They’ll be fine.
One more time – read slow. The season is “already too long.” Reading is difficult. What does “grown men” have to do with the topic? Again, read slow. Sound out the words. Good luck.
Great, they’ll figure out this new LTIR thing as they go along. So much clarity.
And if front offices want more time between the end of the season and free agency, why don’t they push Bettman to resolve that issue?
Marty is like Brindamour. He doesn’t suffer people who take shifts off.