At just 28 years old, Patrik Laine's career has not went the way he planned or anyone expected, really. The former 2nd overall selection by the Winnipeg Jets of the 2016 NHL Draft, Laine received comparisons to the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer, Alex Ovechkin.
This was due to his big size, ability to throw bone crushing hits, and score goals efficiently and at a near generational rate. In just his first NHL season, he finished playing 73 games and scored 64 points after potting 36 goals and 28 assists. He improved the next season, scoring 44 goals in 82 games and he looked like a lock to be a perennial Maurice 'Rocket' Richard Trophy candidate.
Since then, Laine has never surpassed 30 goals in a single season, only hitting the 30 goal mark the following year.
Now hitting the open market for the first time as an unrestricted free agent in 2026, Laine looks like a potential hidden gem. One that the Edmonton Oilers should consider pursuing.
What happaned to Laine?
In just his third NHL season, Laine put up his worst totals scoring just 30 goals and 20 assists for 50 points in 82 games. The next season saw him bounce back, scoring 63 points (28 goals, 35 assists) in 68 games during the pandemic shortened 2019-20 season.
The following year he was dealt to the Columbus Blue Jackets after scoring two goals and one assist in his final game as a Jet. He struggled his first year scoring just 21 points in 45 games but bounced back the next few seasons scoring 56 games in 56 games and 52 points in 55 games. Then in 2023-24, the wheels fell off scoring just nine points in 18 games before it was announced he was receiving care from the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program in January 2024.
The summer, Laine was traded to the Montreal Canadiens, giving him a new lease on his hockey career in a brand new city. Unfortunately, things started off on the wrong foot and after a knee-on-knee hit in preseason action against their rival Toronto Maple Leafs, Laine was sidelined for the next few months. His season began in December and despite missing out on valuable time, he put together a respectable 33 points (20 goals, 13 assists) in just 52 games in his first season with the Habs.
This past year, he also started off on the wrong foot as just five games into the year, Laine underwent core muscle surgery and kept him out for the entirety of the 2025-26 season. Now, Laine enters the offseason set to become an unrestricted free agent and is eligible for a bonus laden contract after spending the majority of this year on long term injured reserve (LTIR).
The Oilers should try to sign Patrik Laine
Although the recent run of injuries and his decline in production should come as a slight concern, the potential payoff should outweigh the cost. Laine, even despite a dip in play has proven he can score goals at an elite level, potting 20 in just 52 games one season ago. Over an 82 game schedule, that puts him on pace for 31, something that is hard to come by in the NHL.
If you remember, Connor Brown signed a one-year league minimum deal in 2023 with the Oilers that had performance bonuses baked in worth over $3 million. This was a success and allowed the Oilers to sign a depth player to a cheap deal, Brown then re-signed and was able to contribute 30 points the following year in a bottom-six role. He then signed with the New Jersey Devils last summer and tied his career high in points.
The Oilers may be able to recreate this and add a potential impact player to play alongside Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. If Laine is willing to sign a one-year 'prove it' deal where he signs for minimal salary but with performance bonuses baked in, it could be worthwhile for the Oilers to pursue. As well, if Laine hits his performance bonuses and it puts the Oilers over the NHL salary cap, they carryover the next year, giving the Oilers little risk.
He has shown throughout his career that in the right situation, he can be one of the best goal scorers in the entire league. If he can play top-nine minutes at 5-on-5 and top powerplay minutes on one of the most lethal powerplays in the league, it could be a mutually beneficial relationship. These are the types of bold moves the Oilers will need to make in order to improve their team.
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