Patrik Laine draws line in the sand amid free agency
Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
Patrik Laine remains unsigned with the 2026-27 season already underway, and Elliotte Friedman now has a theory on why. The Sportsnet insider says the Finnish winger is not simply waiting by the phone. He is steering the process himself.
I've heard there's some choice on [his] part, that he has a preference to where he wants to go, and I think some teams poked around who weren't kind of in his zone, and he was like I don't know if that's fit for me
Why Laine Is Waiting
The comments fit a pattern. Friedman recently suggested Laine favors certain types of situations, and the market has stayed cold since July, when the Islanders reportedly would go no further than a professional tryout.
The hesitation from clubs is easy to understand. Laine has played only five NHL games since October 2025, finishing last season as a healthy scratch for Montreal after core muscle surgery.
Yet the 28-year-old still carries a 44-goal season on his résumé, and that upside keeps his name in circulation.
Interest has not disappeared. Finnish broadcaster Antti Mäkinen reported this week that Detroit and Los Angeles have been the most active suitors lately.
Earlier reports tied him to Toronto, Florida, Tampa Bay, Dallas and Ottawa, yet none of those talks produced a deal. Whether either club matches what Laine wants is unclear.
December 15 Deadline Looms
Time matters too. If Laine signs in Europe, he must clear waivers to return to the NHL after December 15, which could expose a modest contract to a claim from any other club.
A Swiss club can reportedly match his NHL offers, but a year overseas could complicate any comeback.
Friedman's read suggests the holdup is about fit, which makes the Red Wings and Kings talks worth watching. For now, Laine holds the leverage he believes he has.
But selectivity is a luxury that shrinks with every week away from game action, and a talented sniper who is picky about fit eventually needs a team willing to meet him halfway.
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