Montreal Canadiens’ Star Player Patrik Laine Sidelined Due to Injury

Montreal Canadiens’ forward Patrik Laine is expected to be out of action for the next two to three months. The player is recovering from a sprained left knee that he sustained during a preseason game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Details of Laine’s Injury and Its Aftermath

Laine’s unfortunate injury occurred during the first period of a preseason showdown against the Maple Leafs. The player was advancing into the opposition’s territory when his left knee was involved in a knee-to-knee collision with Maple Leafs’ forward Cedric Pare. Upon reviewing the incident, it was evident that Laine’s left knee had bent backward during the encounter, causing him to collapse on the ice in evident pain.

Cedric Pare was not penalized for the incident, but later ended up in a fight with Canadiens’ defenseman Arber Xhekaj. The altercation resulted in Xhekaj receiving a minor penalty and a 10-minute misconduct for instigation, along with a major penalty for fighting and a game misconduct. Xhekaj was also slapped with a fine of $3,385.42, the maximum penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct, by the department of player safety.

Laine’s Condition Post-Injury

Following the incident, Laine was spotted at the Canadiens’ training session on Monday, using crutches for support. On Tuesday, the team confirmed that Laine would not necessitate surgery for his recovery.

Impact of Laine’s Absence on Montreal Canadiens’ Upcoming Season

Laine’s absence for the initial part of the season is a significant setback for the Canadiens, especially after his recent acquisition from the Columbus Blue Jackets in a trade deal. The trade deal involved Jordan Harris, a defenseman, and a second-round pick in the 2026 selection in exchange for Laine.

Laine’s Previous Record and Potential Impact on the Canadiens’ Future

Before his trade to the Canadiens, Laine’s stint with the Blue Jackets was speculated to be nearing its end, a sentiment confirmed by the Blue Jackets’ general manager Don Waddell on TSN 1050 in Toronto. The arrival of Laine, a 26-year-old six-time 20-goal scorer framed at 6-foot-5 and with two years remaining on his $8.7 million annual contract, was seen as a significant boost for the Canadiens’ short-term aspirations.

The Canadiens’ Rebuilding Phase

Since their Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2021, the Canadiens have been in a rebuilding phase. Despite missing the playoffs for three consecutive seasons, there have been notable improvements under the guidance of head coach and Hall of Fame winger Martin St. Louis. The team’s performance has steadily improved from 68 points in St. Louis’s first full season to 76 points in 2023-24, with hopes of reaching an 80-point campaign in 2024-25.

The addition of Laine was expected to bolster these plans, providing another top-six option in a pool that already includes players like Cole Caufield, Kirby Dach, Brendan Gallagher, Alex Newhook, Nick Suzuki, and Juraj Slafkovsky, the No. 1 pick of the 2022 NHL draft.

The Canadiens will wrap up the preseason with two games against the Ottawa Senators before launching the regular season on October 9 against the Maple Leafs.