Patrik Laine's future with the Montreal Canadiens seems uncertain as discussions about a potential trade arise. With only a year left on his current deal, the Canadiens face a critical decision: keep Laine for his offensive capabilities or trade him for value that can help build the team. Laine's performance has been pivotal for the Canadiens, especially on the power play, where he has formed a significant partnership with rookie Ivan Demidov. Given their successful power play, trading Laine could severely impact the team's playoff ambitions.

General Manager Kent Hughes is reportedly open to discussions regarding Laine but emphasizes that any trade must bring back equal or superior value. The team's recent playoff appearance gives them leverage, and their desire to maintain momentum could lead to efforts to secure a team-friendly deal for Laine. There are concerns about whether other teams will recognize Laine's worth, especially since his contributions have been crucial to the Canadiens' success.