Canadiens' Patrik Laine confusion continues with Islanders news

Oct 14, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Patrik Laine (92) prepares for a face off against the Seattle Kraken during the first period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

It's getting really weird for Patrik Laine.

After a season with single-digit games played for the Montreal Canadiens due to injury and then seemingly due to preference, Laine is now a free agent.

A few years ago, this free agency would've been highly anticipated. Laine would've been a guy believed to be set up for a lot of money.

That's no longer true. Laine can't land a contract at all.

The New York Islanders have expressed interest in Laine, but not a ton, according to beat reporter Stefen Rosner.

The Islanders don't want to offer "anything more than a Professional Tryout (PTO)" to Laine, though, Rosner writes.

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Rosner also used the word "logjam" to describe the Islanders' forward position. That's not going to help Laine's chances of finding a gig, either.

Pro Hockey Rumors notes that the Los Angeles Kings were previously linked to Laine, but that doesn't seem to have continued. 

Laine's five games early in the 2025-26 season preceded him pretty much vanishing, and it's not clear when he might return to the picture.

Montreal clearly doesn't want to bring him back, which isn't exactly a ringing endorsement of what he's bringing to the table right now.

At this point, it's hard to project what comes next for Laine. He's going to have to redeem himself with whatever small chance he might get.

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