Canadiens Forward Patrik Laine, Mental Health, And Patience

The 2024-25 season will begin in a little over a month, which means the newest member of the Montreal Canadiens, Patrik Laine, will take to the ice to play a professional hockey game for the first time in a very long time.

Laine last participated in a game on December 14, 2023, versus the Toronto Maple Leafs. He scored a goal before having to leave due to a fractured clavicle. He will face the same opponent once the Habs open their season on October 9, however, we must keep in mind Laine will have gone 300 days without playing hockey by that point, a significant challenge that will require a certain amount of patience from the coaching staff, his teammates, the fans, the media, and of course, Laine himself.

It would be naive to expect otherwise. Regardless of how much innate talent Laine possess, there will invariably be an acclimatization period.

And while some will scoff at the idea of giving an athlete a grace period due to the high salaries involved in professional sports, no amount of money can make up for a steady flow of abuse on various social media platforms. It reminds me of the Karl Alzner situation a few years ago, in which the Habs relegated the longtime NHL defenceman to the AHL, essentially signalling the end of his career at a much earlier point than originally expected. Even if he was playing for the Laval Rocket, Alzner had to deal with an endless stream of criticism from those who believe he did not earn his yearly salary.

While it’s certainly true Alzner never lived up to the very rich contract offered to him by Marc Bergevin, you’d be hard-pressed to argue he was at fault for accepting such a generous offer. Most, if not all of us would go down the same route. Alzner, one of the nicest people you’ll meet in your lifetime, would eventually admit that perhaps his decision to sign a five-year contract that carried an annual average value (AAV) of $4.625 million was an error, but he couldn’t pass up an opportunity to ensure his family was in a financially stable situation for the foreseeable future. Unfortunately, once he arrived in Laval, he had to explain to his friends and family why he was no longer playing in the top league in the world. He also had to face the media on most days, many of whom made a rare trip to Laval to discuss his recent downfall.

It’s an impossibly difficult situation, no matter the salary involved. We also have to remember the salaries are being paid by a billionaire, one of the richest owners in the NHL.

Yes, having that type of money will facilitate several aspects of every day life, but no amount of money can help an athlete get over the fact that their employer no longer wants them in the mix, thus robbing them of an opportunity to excel in the only profession they’ve ever known. For the record, Alzner maintained a positive attitude throughout the whole situation, even though his demotion to the AHL hung above him like the sword of Damocles.

Patrik Laine In Montreal

Laine has gone through his fair share of challenges in life, as evidenced by injuries, as well as his decision to enter the NHL/NHLPA’s Player Assistance Program. And while most of us will say the right things when it comes to mental health, the stigma attached to asking for help is clearly still in place, especially in the sports landscape.

This was particularly evident when shortly after  he  joined the program, a podcaster decided to make a joke regarding the player taking his own life. Laine responded by calling out the podcast, which led to a flood of support for the Finnish player, but by then, the damage was already done. By attempting to get a cheap laugh, the podcaster cast a dark shadow over a player who was already going through a very difficult situation.

And that’s the crux of the issue on social media. We are desperate for instant validation, which can lead to outrageous comments, and, unfortunately, an unreasonable level of hate. This phenomenon is magnified when the fan base in question is as large and intense as the ones following the Montreal Canadiens, the Maple Leafs, and other popular organizations.

We will never be able to erase the heightened level of criticism faced by athletes. When a player misses a shot, or makes a bad pass, the fans will react. That’s perfectly normal, and part of the unwritten contract between fans and the players they support. But the line can be crossed quite easily, as it was on several occasions when Jonathan Drouin, another player who went out of his way to remove some of the stigmas attached to mental health, received an unreasonable amount of criticism regarding his character in his final years with the team. It’s one thing to criticize play on the ice. It’s an entirely different situation when that criticism extends into their every day life.

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With Patrik Laine deciding to wear No.92 with the Canadiens, the same number worn by Drouin, it will be very easy to fall back into the cycle of contrived hate that can negatively impact someone’s mental health.

But it’s also an opportunity for everyone involved to have a fresh start, something that can be easily attained if we simply remember these are not hockey-playing robots who are immune to any semblance of criticism. Under the visor you will find a person, who, like you and I, needs support every once in a while, especially when the chips are down.

Patrik Laine is embarking on the most journey of his career, as he will attempt to rekindle the offensive instincts that led to him becoming one of the most coveted snipers in the league. But in a sense, he’s also about to take the most critical step of his life, which is much more important in the long run.

Support, patience, and love is in order when it comes to Laine’s time in Montreal, just as it is for every other human being going through a challenging stretch in their life.

Patrik Laine has a message about mental health and asking for help 👏

(via fromustoy0u/IG) pic.twitter.com/VThIQ7JwOp

— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) August 28, 2024