Insider reveals which team was on the verge of acquiring Patrik Laine

Los Angeles was actively sniffing around the superstar winger. They clearly recognized a massive opportunity to upgrade their top six.

Insider David Pagnotta revealed the Kings checked in with Montreal management on numerous occasions. The dialogue was definitely open between the two front offices.

A pure sniper carrying an $8.7 million cap hit always draws attention from aggressive buyers. Los Angeles general manager Rob Blake is no stranger to swinging for the fences.

The Kings desperately need reliable offensive output on the right side. Their transition game often stalls out against heavier defensive units in the Western Conference.

A player of Laine's caliber completely alters the opposing team's defensive structure. You simply can't leave a guy with a career 14.7 shooting percentage open in the slot.

Despite the heavy interest and repeated phone calls, a blockbuster trade never crossed the finish line. The conversations stalled out before any real paperwork was drafted.

Pagnotta noted the discussions never got too close to actually transpiring. The Kings were actively kicking tires, but they just couldn't stomach the final asking price.

Montreal isn't going to give away a proven scorer for draft picks alone. The front office expects a massive return for a player with **multiple 30-goal campaigns** under his belt.

Fitting that massive salary onto the Los Angeles books would have required incredible cap gymnastics. The financial realities often derail these blockbuster ideas in the boardroom.

Moving a contract of that size usually demands a third team to retain salary or a complicated swap of bad contracts. Los Angeles likely lacked the exact assets Montreal wanted.

For now, Laine remains firmly planted in the Canadiens locker room. He continues to be a focal point on the Montreal power play. Whether or not he can finally stay healthy, is one of those things that still very much remains to be seen.

The Kings will have to look elsewhere to solve their scoring woes. The NHL trade market remains incredibly unforgiving for teams looking for cheap solutions.

Expect the rumor mill to fire right back up the moment Laine hits a hot streak. Elite scoring talent is always the most expensive commodity in the Show.

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