As the Montreal Canadiens gear up for another electrifying season, all eyes are on one player who seems poised for a dramatic resurgence—Patrik Laine.

After a summer spent relentlessly training on Montreal ice, often in the company of rising star Ivan Demidov, Laine has reignited his passion for the game, embracing every minute of his first full offseason in years.

But what’s truly captivating isn’t just his dedication—it’s the growing buzz surrounding his future and the tantalizing whispers coming from inside the locker room.

In a recent interview, Quebec defenseman Alexandre Carrier let slip a bold prediction about Laine’s potential, stirring speculation and excitement among fans and insiders alike.

Could this be a subtle message to Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes? Is there more to Laine’s summer in Montreal than meets the eye?

With his contract set to expire next July, the stakes couldn’t be higher, and the possibilities seem endless. As rumors swirl and expectations soar, one thing is clear: Patrik Laine is on the cusp of something special, and the entire hockey world is watching.

What exactly did Carrier say, and what could it mean for Laine’s future with the Habs? The answer might surprise you—read on to discover the full story.

Jan 18, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens right wing Patrik Laine (92) skates during warm-up before the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

One of the players who will be truly interesting to watch this season in Montreal is without a doubt forward Patrik Laine.

We know that Laine has worked extremely hard over the past few weeks.

Almost every day, he was the first to hit the ice in Brossard and the last to leave (in the company of a certain Ivan Demidov).

Clearly, he has rediscovered his passion and is truly making the most of his first full summer of preparation in a very long time.

We love it!

It’s now much easier to understand why he decided to spend the entire summer in Montreal.

Alexandre Carrier seems to slip up in an interview and appears to send a subtle message to Kent Hughes regarding Patrik Laine

Clearly, we’re not the only ones expecting big things from Laine.

Alexandre Carrier predicts a 50-goal season for Patrik Laine in 2026-27.

What’s interesting here is that Laine’s current contract will be over by then..

It was obviously said in a lighthearted way, but clearly, Carrier wouldn’t be too disappointed if Kent Hughes re-signed Patrik Laine.

The Quebec defenseman has high expectations for his Finnish teammate.

“It should be noted that by then, Laine’s current contract will be over, as he will become a free agent next July 1st.

According to Carrier, then, the team that signs Laine will be getting a 50-goal scorer.

It might be a subtle way to encourage his GM to offer Laine a contract extension, hehe.”

– Félix Forget

That being said, Laine scored 44 goals in his second NHL season, when he was only 19 years old!