Former second-overall pick Patrik Laine is currently not signed to a contract for the 2026–27 season. He remains an unrestricted free agent. According to Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun, the Calgary Flames may be interested in signing Laine. Let’s evaluate Laine’s fit with the Flames.
Who is Patrik Laine?
Patrik Laine is a Finnish winger who was originally drafted second overall by the Winnipeg Jets in 2016. Early on in his career, Laine established himself as one of the league’s most feared shooters. In his sophomore season during 2017–18, he scored 44 goals and finished as the runner-up for the Rocket Richard Trophy.
In January 2021, the Jets traded him to the Columbus Blue Jackets. His point totals in Columbus were quite respectable. However, in late 2023–24, he entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program to prioritize his mental health. He was eventually traded to the Montreal Canadiens in August 2024.
In Montreal, Laine showed brief flashes of his prime form before being sidelined by severe injuries. Core muscle surgery plagued his 2025–26 campaign and limited him to just five regular season games. Despite ramping up to full health late in the year, he was kept out of the lineup during the playoffs entirely. He is now a highly motivated free agent seeking a fresh start.
The pros of signing Laine
Instant power play help
The biggest argument in favour of signing Laine is the immediate punch he would bring to Calgary’s struggling offence. The Flames opened the 2026–27 season with a glaring inability to finish. They managed just three goals across their first three games. Adding Laine would give head coach Ryan Huska an elite power play specialist to instantly remedy those man-advantage woes. Even during his injury-shortened 2024–25 season in Montreal, Laine showcased his one-time threat from the left circle by potting 15 power-play goals in just 52 games. For a team that desperately needs to capitalize on special-teams opportunities, Laine’s lethal shot would instantly upgrade the Flames’ top unit.
Negligible financial risk
Another major upside for Calgary is the virtually non-existent financial risk involved. Because Laine spent over 100 days on IR last season, he is eligible for a one-year, performance-bonus-laden contract. This gives general manager Craig Conroy complete roster flexibility. He could keep Laine’s base salary near the league minimum and tie the bulk of his earnings to things like games played and production milestones. If Laine recaptures his scoring touch, Calgary gains a high-value asset. However, if things don’t work out, he can easily be waived or traded without leaving behind any long-term cap strain.
The cons of signing Laine
Five-on-five decline
The Flames might be hesitant to sign Laine due to his persistent struggles during even-strength play. At five-on-five, his defensive engagement is minimal, and he can be a liability when he doesn’t have the puck in his own zone. For a Flames squad that relies heavily on Huska’s structured, hard-checking system, bringing in a one-dimensional power play sniper could clash with the team’s identity.
Continuous injury struggles
Another glaring drawback to signing Laine is his extensive injury history and his inability to stay on the ice. During the last five seasons, Laine has managed to play just 186 games. Furthermore, he hasn’t played a full season since 2018–19. So, relying on him as a core offensive contributor presents a huge risk. Even though a low-cost, bonus-heavy contract minimizes financial damage, his chronic availability issues mean that Calgary cannot reasonably count on him to help their power play for the entire season.
Conclusion
LeBrun also mentioned that the Flames “want to look at their young guys first.” This makes a lot of sense. The Flames recently recalled Aydar Suniev and Jonathan Castagna from the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers. So, seeing what they can do in the NHL before turning to the free agent market is logical. If the Flames’ offence continues to struggle, adding a player like Laine to their forward group feels like a good fit.
