Few storylines in Montreal have captured the attention of fans and analysts quite like Patrik Laine’s turbulent ride with the Canadiens this season. Once heralded as a potential game-changer for the franchise, Laine’s journey has been anything but predictable, marked by flashes of brilliance, untimely setbacks, and a wave of speculation about his future in the iconic red, white, and blue.

As the dust settles on a rollercoaster campaign, whispers about Laine’s long-term fit in Montreal are growing louder. Injuries, lineup changes, and the emergence of new stars have all played a part in reshaping the team’s identity—and Laine’s role within it. The recent playoff series only intensified the debate, as the Canadiens found unexpected success with a new-look power play and a youth-driven lineup that seemed to thrive in his absence.

Now, with rumors swirling and the front office facing tough decisions, the spotlight is squarely on Laine and what comes next for both player and team. Has the Finnish sniper’s time in Montreal run its course, or could a new chapter still be written? As uncertainty looms, one thing is clear: the Canadiens are at a crossroads, and the outcome will shape their future for years to come.

Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

We can safely say that Patrik Laine’s season with the Montreal Canadiens was filled with highs and lows.

His numerous power play goals were part of the highs, but his performance over the past few weeks definitely belongs in the other category.

However, it was recently revealed that the Finnish forward had been playing through an injury for some time, which is why he missed the last three games of the first-round series against the Washington Capitals.

A rumor suggests it could be over for Patrik Laine with the Montreal Canadiens, especially due to the arrival of Ivan Demidov on the top power play unit

That said, his absence allowed Martin St-Louis to insert Ivan Demidov on the first power play unit, and as reported by the site DansLesCoulisses, the results spoke for themselves.

“The (very) young unit composed of Suzuki, Hutson, Demidov, Caufield, and Slaf scored three times in two games on the power play, and the Canadiens converted nearly 44% (4 out of 9) of their man-advantage opportunities in their last two games.”

– DansLesCoulisses

Indeed, several sources believe that Laine’s time in Montreal is over, especially due to what has unfolded in recent weeks.

These are signs that rarely lie.

Returning to Demidov and his new role on the top power play, we’re looking at a potentially dominant unit for years to come, on par with what the Edmonton Oilers and Tampa Bay Lightning boast (featuring Demidov, Slafkovsky, Suzuki, Caufield, and Hutson).

We clearly saw during the series against the Caps that the Canadiens can hold their own without Laine in the lineup, and many are now wondering if his time in Montreal is already up.

Acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets in August 2024, the Finnish forward is set to enter the final year of his contract in 2025-2026, but with a salary of $8.7 million, it will be quite difficult for Kent Hughes to move him.