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Should the Sabres be worried about the Canadiens after the Patrik Laine trade?

Should the Buffalo Sabres be worried about potential new competition from a division rival?

By Jeff Dahlberg

Sep 30, 2023; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Kyle Okposo (21) watches as Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Patrik Laine (29) controls the puck during the third period at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2023; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Kyle Okposo (21) watches as Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Patrik Laine (29) controls the puck during the third period at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports / Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
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The Montreal Canadiens recently acquired veteran forward Patrik Laine as part of a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for defenseman Jordan Harris and a second-round pick. The Habs hope Laine can help them overcome their playoff drought, which, while not as long as Buffalo’s, is still embarrassing for Le Grand Club's supporters.

Laine was injured last season and only scored six goals, three assists and nine total points in 2023-24. However, he did enjoy two solid 20+ plus seasons with Columbus during his two previous hockey years.

Laine was a potential trade candidate for other teams and some observers felt the Sabres should have made a move for him. For whatever reason, Buffalo GM Kevyn Adams either never considered the idea or couldn’t make a deal and the Canadiens picked him up.

Laine hopes he can be a 40 or 50-goal scorer for the Habs. Montreal GM Kent Hughes downplayed those expectations, saying “whether you score 20 goals or 40 goals, your success here is not going to be defined strictly by goals. It’s going to be defined by your ability to help contribute to this team and help us.”

Maybe the Sabres should be less concerned that Patrik Laine will suddenly turn into a hockey superstar with the Canadiens and thwart the Blue and Gold from gaining a playoff spot. Laine hasn’t scored 40 or more goals since the 2017-18 season in Winnipeg. That’s not the say he can’t or won’t.

But the idea Patrik Laine will turn his career around in one season doesn’t seem 100% likely

Looking at the Habs’ roster, the Canadiens added six new forwards to their lineup for 2024-25, but only one new defenseman, Adam Engstrom from Rögle BK in the Swedish Hockey League. Meanwhile, the Sabres not only acquired 11 new forwards through free agency, trades or drafts but also three D-men. Buffalo’s managers have focused not only on offense but also on defense.

By contrast, the Habs seem to be looking for flashy trades like Laine and less on building up depth on both sides of the ice. Maybe that helps with Montreal’s unforgiving media and fanbase but it won’t help when the Canadiens play a stronger Buffalo Sabres unit or competitors like the Bruins, the Leafs, the Lightning or the defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers.

Patrik Laine might cause the Sabres some trouble this coming season. Even so, the Blue and Gold have a deeper roster than the Habs and can match them player for player in any contest. Buffalo’s defense is as good as Montreal’s or even better and that’s something the Canadiens’ managers should be concerned about.

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