Patrik Laine’s run in Montreal hasn’t been going perfectly in his last eight games, and now, he’s taken a subtle jab at the team over his lack of playing time that has caused his production to take a major dip in recent weeks.

Early in his time with the Montreal Canadiens, Patrik Laine was absolutely red-hot, but as of late he’s slowed down significantly, with Head Coach Martin St. Louis even benching the star forward in recent games.

In his last eight games, Laine has gone scoreless for the Canadiens, with the forward now welcoming the Four Nations Face Off break as he looks to get his season rolling once more, as he scored an impressive 8 goals in his first 9 games with the team after recovering from a pre-season injury.

In an interview however, Laine was clearly unhappy with how things have gone as of late, subtly calling out St. Louis for his lack of playing time as a reason why he’s been unable to play consistently in recent games.

‘It’s clear that playing a lot of minutes here will help me. That hasn’t happened often recently.’

While there’s likely other factors in play for the reason why Laine hasn’t been at his best, the decisions from MSL certainly haven’t helped, with Montreal cooling off significantly as a team after pushing for a Stanley Cup Playoffs spot over the past month.

The Four Nations break will last a few weeks, with Laine getting the chance to play with some of the best players in the NHL as he represents his home nation of Finland, and by the time he gets back to Canadiens camp, he’ll be hoping that St. Louis doesn’t take this shot personally and that the break can help him find his momentum again.

The Bigger Picture: Laine’s Role with the Canadiens

When Laine was acquired, the expectation was that he would be a focal point of the offense, a player who could be counted on to deliver in clutch moments. However, his ice time has fluctuated, sometimes seeing reduced minutes in favor of more defensively responsible forwards. While this approach may make sense from a coaching perspective, it’s understandable why a player of Laine’s caliber would feel frustrated.

The Canadiens’ coaching staff has remained tight-lipped about the situation, with St-Louis dismissing any concerns over Laine’s comments. “We have a game plan, and every player has a role to play,” St-Louis stated when asked about Laine’s usage. “Patrik is a great player, and we believe in him, but we also have to do what’s best for the team.”

Fan Reactions and Trade Speculation

Naturally, Laine’s comments have set social media ablaze, with fans taking sides. Some believe St-Louis is mishandling one of the team’s most talented players, while others think Laine should focus more on his two-way game if he wants additional minutes. The controversy has also sparked trade rumors, with speculation that Laine could seek a change of scenery if he continues to feel undervalued in Montreal.

If Laine were to be made available, there would be no shortage of suitors. Teams in need of elite scoring could be interested in acquiring the Finnish winger, though his contract and injury history could complicate potential moves. Still, a player of his caliber always attracts interest, and this situation will be closely monitored by rival general managers.

What’s Next?

For now, all eyes will be on how Laine responds on the ice. Will he use this as motivation to prove he deserves more minutes, or will tensions between him and St-Louis escalate? The Canadiens, currently battling for a playoff spot, can’t afford distractions, making it crucial for both parties to resolve any lingering issues.

One thing is certain—this won’t be the last we hear about Laine’s dissatisfaction if his ice time remains a talking point. Whether this ends in reconciliation or an eventual trade, his situation in Montreal will be a storyline to follow in the coming weeks.