Canadiens Injuries
Injured Canadiens Forward Patrik Laine Spotted Skating
There was some relatively good news regarding injured forward Patrik Laine coming from the Montreal Canadiens’ practice facility, in Brossard.
Twitter user MarvinWizard spotted the 26-year-old skating gingerly with one other player, which is the first time anyone in the public has seen Laine on the ice since he injured his knee on September 26, 2024.
The incident took place in the preseason, when a Toronto Maple Leafs minor league player extended his knee and made direct contact with Laine, who immediately showed signs of significant distress, and was helped off the ice by his teammates and the team trainers.
Patrik Laine was seen skating at the Habs practice facility in Brossard today 👀 pic.twitter.com/ph5mE64ioh
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) November 9, 2024
Many speculated Laine would miss the entire season, as the injury did seem painful enough to keep someone out of action for half a year or more, but in the end the player and the team opted to decline a surgical intervention. The decision led to a 2-3 months recovery time frame, not to mention a sigh of relief from fans who were hoping to see the sniper play his first regular season game with the Canadiens.
Even though it’s encouraging to see Laine back on the ice, we do have to remain patient as to when he’ll make his debut. Knees are complicated, hockey is demanding, and there’s always a risk for a setback.
Regardless, it’s a great sign for a player who did everything necessary to bounce back from a very difficult situation, both on and off the ice. Despite not playing for the team in an official game, Laine received one of the loudest ovations when he was presented to Habs fans during the home-opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs on October 9, 2024.
In 480 career games Patrik Laine has scored 204 and 184 assists, while splitting his time with the Winnipeg Jets and the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Tiens, tiens! 👀
Patrik Laine était sur la patinoire du Complexe Sportif CN samedi matin! 🔵⚪️🔴
(📽️: Oli Girard/FB) pic.twitter.com/AZc999sSea
— RDS (@RDSca) November 9, 2024
Read This Next
Recommended
When the NYR began their rebuild they had experienced coaches behind the bench
Better still, just watch Detroit, Buffalo or Ottawa play. Heck, Calgary decided last year to rebuild. Have you seen their on-ice play? Montreal’s play comes nowhere near these rebuilding teams. Of course, none of these teams are run by the GM’s inexperienced buddy, or hampered by linguistic imperatives.
These 3 you mentioned can’t even make the playoffs. Some of them in over a decade. Calgary is just average and could fade out.
I was just pointing out that those 4 teams play a better, more structured brand of hockey than Montreal. None will make the playoffs. Like our Habs .
I still don’t expect Laine back in the 2-3 month timeline originally reported. I’m fully expecting a setback or reinjury to extend his absence significantly. I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see him return too early, get hurt again, decide on surgery after all, and be done for the season. Hopefully that’s not the case, but expecting the worst makes dealing with reality easier, and if anything better ends up happening, it’s a pleasant bonus.