Canadiens Are a Better Team Without Patrik Laine

Laine’s ice time and deployment tell a clear story: he hasn’t earned the trust of the coaching staff yet. He’s been used sparingly at even strength, often on the fourth line beside Jake Evans and Josh Anderson, and his power-play minutes have come exclusively on the second unit. For a player once expected to be a top-six fixture and power-play focal point, it’s a sharp contrast from the heights of his Winnipeg Jets and Columbus Blue Jackets days.

Now, with Laine injured, the Canadiens face an intriguing paradox. Losing a player of his talent would normally be a major concern, but in this case, his absence may actually be helping the team find a more balanced, sustainable rhythm.

Canadiens’ Identity Is Clearer Without Laine

The Canadiens have spent the past two seasons crafting an identity built on structure, pace, and work ethic. They don’t have a superstar who dominates possession like a Connor McDavid or Auston Matthews; instead, their strength lies in their collective effort. Every player, from the top line to the fourth, is expected to skate hard, pressure the puck, and commit defensively.

Laine’s style of play, however, doesn’t naturally align with that system. His game is built around positioning for open looks, not chasing pucks or closing passing lanes. In Winnipeg and Columbus, he thrived as a complementary sniper surrounded by play-drivers who fed him the puck. But Montreal’s system demands something different: it asks every winger to retrieve pucks, win board battles, and transition quickly.

Without Laine in the lineup, the Canadiens’ game has flowed more naturally. The pace has increased, the defensive coverage has tightened, and the forecheck has become more relentless.

Even the power play has benefited. Instead of focusing on feeding a single shooter, Montreal’s man advantage has leaned on puck movement, deception, and mobility. The result? A more unpredictable and dynamic attack that keeps penalty killers guessing.

Perhaps most importantly, the team’s defensive structure has solidified. Forwards are backchecking with purpose, defensive zone exits are cleaner, and the team is limiting odd-man rushes. The Canadiens look like a group where every piece fits, something that has sometimes been harder to achieve when trying to accommodate Laine’s unique skill set.

This Doesn’t Mean Laine Won’t Play Again

It’s important to note that this isn’t an argument for keeping Laine out of the lineup permanently. When healthy, he remains one of the NHL’s most gifted pure scorers, and there’s no denying what that kind of talent can bring to a team. The challenge lies in finding the right role – and the right expectations – for him to succeed without disrupting the Canadiens’ overall identity.

If Laine can adapt his game to the team’s style, skating harder on the forecheck, maintaining defensive engagement, and accepting a role that may be smaller than in years past, he can still be a valuable weapon. A third-line scoring role or a specialized shooter position on the power play might allow him to contribute meaningfully without compromising the Canadiens’ pace and structure.

Montreal’s success this season has come from buy-in, not star power. Every player understands his role and executes it within a system that prioritizes team play over individual flair. Laine’s next step will be proving that he can embrace that philosophy. If he can, his shot could once again be an asset rather than an outlier.