Patrik Laine is nearing his long-awaited debut with the Montreal Canadiens after suffering a severe knee injury during the preseason. Spotted in a regular practice jersey on Monday, per Renaud Lavoie, Laine’s progress is a positive step forward in his recovery. While many feared he would miss the bulk of the season, his return to game action now seems imminent.
Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis revealed that Laine won’t play during this week’s road trip but hinted that he could make his debut next week when the team returns home, as reported by NHL Rumors. Laine last appeared in an NHL game in December 2023 before entering the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.
Teammate David Savard shared his excitement about Laine’s return:
“It’s nice to have him back with us. When you’re not practicing with the team, it can feel like a long time. We’ve made an effort to keep him involved during meetings, but it’s tougher when we’re on the road. It’s great to see him and know he’s close to playing again.”
Once a top performer with the Winnipeg Jets, Laine’s time with the Columbus Blue Jackets was marred by injuries and inconsistency. Now, joining Montreal offers the Finland native a fresh start. The Canadiens, currently last in the Atlantic Division at 7-11-2, could use Laine’s return to inject some much-needed energy into their lineup.
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