Patrik Laine's Free Agency Prospects Center on Low Base Salary Offers

Finnish winger Patrik Laine, 28, remains unsigned after playing just five games last season for the Montreal Canadiens, following a 52‑game campaign in which he recorded 20 goals and 13 assists. NHL reporter David Pagnotta told Daily Faceoff that teams are interested but are only prepared to offer a low base salary—approximately one million US dollars—with the remainder of the compensation tied to performance bonuses. The hesitancy stems from Laine’s recent inconsistency and teams’ reluctance to commit a large portion of their salary cap to a forward whose prior seasons have been uneven. The discussion also noted another Finnish free‑agent forward, Eeli Tolvanen, as a notable name on the market.