At 26 years old, Patrik Laine seems to have been revitalized in Montreal. After some mixed seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets, the 6 foot 4, 208-pound winger has regained his confidence and offensive touch.

He is already among the top scorers for the Montreal Canadiens and one of the best goal scorers in the entire NHL (in terms of goals per game), proving that he is still capable of performing at the highest level.

Acquired by the Canadiens in a trade involving a second-round pick, Laine arrived in Montreal with many questions surrounding him.

However, he quickly silenced critics, showing renewed enthusiasm and visible happiness on the ice.

It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this good, he said after his hat trick against the Buffalo Sabres earlier this season.

This resurgence raises an important question: Could Laine consider extending his stay in Montreal?

A Contract Extension for Patrik Laine with the Canadiens?

According to Georges Laraque, the Canadiens should take this opportunity to offer Laine a seven-year contract extension worth $7 million per season.

Such a deal would secure the presence of a key player in Montreal’s lineup until he turns 34, while providing the team with long-term offensive stability.

 

Laraque also pointed out that these types of contracts often include additional years to convince talented players like Laine to commit long-term.

«If you want to sign him only for the years where you expect his best performance, you won’t get him. That’s how it always works,» said Georges Laraque.

 

For the Canadiens, this decision comes with risk, betting on Laine to return to being the 40-goal scorer he was earlier in his career.

If his Montreal experience continues to be successful, the investment could pay off.

But, like any high-stakes negotiation, it comes with its share of uncertainties.

With his current $8.7 million per season contract set to expire in just over a year, Laine has a golden opportunity to prove that he can be a cornerstone for the Canadiens, both on the ice and in the locker room.