Bruins Should Approach Patrik Laine With Caution

The Boston Bruins are amicably readying the runway for their prospects to be promoted to the big club in 2026-27. That being said, there is a hole in the lineup when it comes to production in the top nine. James Hagens, Fraser Minten, and Marat Khusnutdinov will have plenty to prove wearing the spoked-B for another year.

However, the Bruins could use another 40-60+ point forward who could add to the team’s secondary-scoring depth. There is a nice list of veterans who have been neglected by general managers (GMs) across the league.

One low-risk, high-reward option could be veteran left winger Patrik Laine. He was a part of the Montreal Canadiens organization last season, which he spent the majority of 2025-26 nursing injuries.

Why The Bruins Should Sign Patrik Laine

In 537 games, Laine has 142 points on the man advantage (85 goals and 57 assists). Lauded as a game-changing player early in his career, it appeared foreboding that he’d help take the Winnipeg Jets deep into the playoffs in 2018.

Laine is a legitimate sniper who could add scoring depth to either of the Bruins’ power-play units.

Laine is 28-years-old, and his NHL career shouldn’t be over. It’s honestly puzzling, as some GMs in the NHL should be jumping on this opportunity. His $8.7 million average annual value (AAV) contract expired at the end of the 2025-26 season. As did his time with the Canadiens.

His value has never been more discounted than it has before, and the Bruins could snatch up a pure goal-scorer at a bargain by offering him a professional tryout (PTO), or a “prove-it” deal to give him another shot in the NHL.

So if Laine signs a contract with $1 million or $2 million in guaranteed salary and between $2 million and $4 million in performance bonuses, that could be the best he can hope for at this stage in his NHL career.

Laine’s career totals are: 422 points (224 goals, 198 assists).

Why the Bruins Shouldn’t Sign Patrik Laine

Since Laine began his career in the NHL, he’s only played two full seasons of hockey during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons in Winnipeg. An ongoing issue that hasn’t ceased since he arrived in Montreal.

This past season, Laine played only five games for the Canadiens. Despite his absence, they were a team that was scrappy enough to make the playoffs. For any NHL GM, that should give you pause. As someone whose regularly injured and missed a significant amount of time in Winnipeg, Columbus, and Montreal.

Approach the situation with a sober outlook, as Laine could provide needed secondary scoring. Signing Laine is a risk, but if he finds his game again, the benefits could outweigh the potential issues that come with it.

Laine Could Block a James Hagens Promotion

With the acquisition of someone like Laine, he could block Hagens’ ascent into the Bruins lineup. He has the potential to break out in 2026-27.

Hagens scored 23 goals during the 2025-26 season with the Boston College Eagles. He could turn into a potential 20-goal scorer in the NHL.

The former BC Eagle could also lend a hand on the Bruins’ power play, carrying the puck into the offensive zone and utilizing his vision, scanning for opportunities on the ice.

“He doesn’t have to look down and check the puck and make sure it’s on his stick. He’s always scanning, always ready to look for the next opportunity. So, I think that will serve him very well as he makes the transition to pro hockey.”

Sign Laine Only If Necessary

With the Bruins’ new trajectory, it appears that Laine could have a spot in the lineup, but merely as a placeholder. If they do sign him, they shouldn’t keep him on the roster longer than a two- to three-year term in order not to block any forward movement from Hagens.