Patrik Laine's NHL hopes appear to be down to one team
Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
The Los Angeles Kings are weighing a low-cost gamble to fix their struggling power play. According to a new report, Patrik Laine, who remains unsigned, has come up in internal discussions.
There are other smaller things that the Kings have batted around. I'm told they've talked about Patrick Laine, for example, who remains unsigned. Could he help their power play? I don't know if they'll end up going that route, but certainly he'd be a cheap option.
The framing matters. This is not a blockbuster pursuit. It is a depth conversation, the kind that happens when a team checks every inexpensive avenue before the season gets away from it.
Why the Fit Makes Sense
Los Angeles finished 28th in the NHL on the power play last season, and the retirement of Anze Kopitar opened a spot on the top unit.
Laine, 28, built his reputation on a right-handed one-timer that forces penalty killers to adjust. The Kings also reportedly explored a deadline trade for him from Montreal, so this interest is not new.
Pairing him with a team that defends well could also help hide the weaker parts of his game. Laine has never been a five-on-five fix, but a dedicated role on the man advantage plays to his strengths.
The Risk Behind the Discount
Laine appeared in only five games for the Canadiens last season and logged a single assist, and teams remain wary of his injury history. That uncertainty explains why a three-time 30-goal scorer is still available this late.
The structure of any deal is what makes this workable. A short, bonus-heavy contract or a professional tryout would limit the downside for Los Angeles while giving Laine a platform to rebuild his value.
Competition exists, with Calgary, Tampa Bay, Boston and Minnesota among the clubs linked to him. Still, the Kings have a clear need and an open power play spot. If Laine is healthy, he is exactly the kind of low-risk, high-reward move that can pay off quickly.
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