Penguins Predicted To Sign Former 44-Goal Scorer In Intriguing Move
· Yahoo Sports
Penguins Predicted To Sign Former 44-Goal Scorer In Intriguing Move originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Pittsburgh Penguins made the playoffs last season and will look to build off that this year.
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Pittsburgh could look to bring in some more offensive help this offseason and could look at an intriguing option. Ahead of the offseason and free agency beginning, NHL analyst Rory Boylen of Sportsnet predicts the Penguins will sign Patrik Laine.
“Last summer, they signed Anthony Mantha to a one-year contract after a torn ACL ended his 2024-25 season just 13 games in. Mantha, who had only one 20-goal season since 2018-19, notched a career-high 33 with the Penguins at 31 years old,” Boylen wrote in an article published on Monday.
“Perhaps that sort of bet could be placed next on Patrik Laine. The 28-year-old played just five games with Montreal this season before being sidelined by a core muscle injury, but scored 20 times for them (in 52 games) the season before that. Heading to free agency, Laine shouldn't cost too much to sign, and while his best years are probably behind him, the potential remains. That formula might fit with the Penguins for one season.”
Laine is a former second overall pick who’s been hampered by injuries in his career. Yet, if he’s healthy, he’s capable of being a 30+ goal scorer, and he likely would sign for an incentive-heavy deal, so if he doesn’t pan out, it would be a low-risk move.
Laine’s best season came in 2017-18 when he recorded 44 goals and 26 assists for 70 points, but in the last six years, he’s yet to play 60+ games and has played in just five games this past season for the Montreal Canadiens.
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