Canadiens predicted to trade $8.7 million winger before deadline

Canadiens predicted to trade $8.7 million winger before deadline originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Montreal Canadiens likely still have some work to do before Friday's NHL trade deadline.

And while they're in position to chase a playoff spot, they may also trade away a winger with an $8.7 million cap hit to help it happen.

Patrik Laine was once a rising star. Now, he's someone the Canadiens might decide to move on from.

Laine has missed almost this entire season with injury, but if another team believes him to be mostly healthy now, he could be desirable for acquisition.

That hefty salary might be the toughest part of making a move. Not every acquiring team will have the room to get that onto the books.

MORE: Maple Leafs getting help from Flyers to trade veteran center

Still, The Athletic's Chris Johnston believes Laine will get moved before Friday's deadline comes and goes.

"Working his way back from core muscle surgery that’s limited him to just five games this season, Laine's future lies somewhere other than Montreal," Johnston wrote. "The Canadiens don’t have an obvious spot for him in the lineup and seem inclined to move off his contract in order to clear cap room needed for other moves. While Laine is no longer the game-breaking talent who took the NHL by storm a decade ago, he still possesses a wicked shot and remains a serious power-play threat. The Canadiens have the ability to retain salary on his expiring contract in order to help facilitate a move."

The other key not noted already is that Laine is on an expiring contract. That means an acquiring team has to figure out how to fit him for this season, but after this season, he's gone.

For Laine, it's a chance to try and boost his free agent value at least a bit, and for the Canadiens, it's a chance to reallocate resources for the stretch run.

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