In a somewhat positive development for Patrik Laine and the Montreal Canadiens, the organization announced he would be out for two to three months with a knee sprain and would not require surgery. There was some speculation that Laine may have had damage to his anterior cruciate ligament but it appears that he and the Canadiens have avoided the worst-case scenario.
Laine’s injury came during the team’s game on Saturday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs when he was on the receiving end of a knee-on-knee collision with Toronto depth forward Cédric Paré. He laid on the ice several minutes after the hit, could not skate under his power, and left the game on crutches.
It’s still an unfortunate turn of events for Laine who was looking to rebuild his career after an offseason trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets. The former second-overall pick of the 2016 NHL Draft dealt with multiple injuries last year with the Blue Jackets limiting to only 18 games before finishing the season in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.
He was expected to be a major fixture in the Canadiens’ top six this season but will now have to wait until at least December to make an impact. He’s only two years removed from scoring 48 goals and 108 points in 111 games in Columbus from 2021-2023. If he hypothetically returns to the ice at the soonest possible date on December 1st he will still be able to suit up in 59 games for Montreal if he stays healthy for the remainder of the year.
It marks the second major injury to the Canadiens organization in the last few hours with the team also announcing defensive prospect David Reinbacher would miss most of the 2024-25 season after knee surgery. Laine’s luck avoiding a similar injury needing surgery likely saved his first year in Montreal.
The team still has a sizeable hole to fill on the right side of the second line. Familiar faces such as Brendan Gallagher or Josh Anderson will most likely fill that role until Laine is ready to return. No matter who the Canadiens pick to fill the newfound void they will find difficulty in internally replacing Laine’s ability to put the puck in the net.
This dude is cursed.
Two things Laine can’t do? Play defence or stay healthy.
Dirty hit by a loser hoping to goon his way into an NHL job.
How dare you?! We call them “depth forwards” now! Lol. Srsly, it was indeed a scumbag move.
Sounds like I should feel sorry for Laine. Haven’t actually seen the play so I can’t say one way or the other. Anybody have a video link? I tried to muster up a tear for Laine but somehow just couldn’t make it happen
There is no dirty shot, just a collision, Laine goes on Paré who was completly static. It is like a car that goes on another stopped one, instead of turning right or left clearly, Laine did little deke and Paré didn’t move, just transferred his weight to try to reach Laine with his arms. Nothing could be done there, it was too fast, and the face-to-face happened. Referees concluded there is nothing, and the NHL too.