HIGHLIGHTS
- Patrik Laine was injured Saturday night against the Maple Leafs
- The star forward was spotted in a knee brace after the game
- Read below for the Laine injury video and latest updates
You have to feel for Patrik Laine.
The Montreal Canadiens forward left Saturday’s preseason game against the Toronto Maple Leafs with a serious-looking knee injury.
The incident occurred just minutes into the first period when Laine carried the puck into the offensive zone and took a knee-on-knee hit from Toronto’s Cedric Pare.
Laine immediately dropped to the ice, clutching his knee in obvious pain. He had to be helped off by the Montreal training staff.
You can watch the Laine injury video here, but we warn you it’s not for the faint of heart:
Patrik Laine heads off the ice after a brutal knee-on-knee hit 🤕 pic.twitter.com/74damBrG0v
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) September 28, 2024
Laine threw his glove and helmet in frustration as he limped to the locker room. The Canadiens later announced Laine would not return to the game.
Patrik Laine throws his glove & helmet in frustration as he limps back to the Habs dressing room after a bad knee-on-knee collision with a Leafs player. pic.twitter.com/mtEcosFdFx
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) September 28, 2024
While the Habs have not provided an official medical update yet, this doesn’t look good in the slightest. Laine was spotted in a knee brace exiting Bell Center after the game.
Doctor Analysis
Dr. Harjas Grewal, a physician who analyzes NHL injuries, outlined the potential severity of Laine’s injury:
- At minimum, Laine likely suffered a bone bruise which would keep him out week-to-week
- A torn meniscus is possible, with recovery ranging from 4-6 weeks up to 4+ months
- Worst case scenarios are a torn MCL (multi-week absence) or ACL (season-ending)
The way Laine’s knee buckled and bent on the replay seems to indicate a serious injury. We hate to speculate, but Laine is likely facing an extended absence to start the regular season.
Laine’s Troubling Injury History
This injury is particularly worrying due to Laine’s injury history. The former No. 2 overall pick has had trouble staying healthy, incurring a string of recent setbacks.
Here’s a summary of Laine’s recent injuries:
| Date | Injury | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| October-November 2023 | Concussion | 9 games missed |
| Early December 2023 | Illness | 3 games missed |
| December 14, 2023 | Broken clavicle | 16+ games missed |
| September 28, 2024 | Knee injury (preseason) | To be determined |
Laine’s 2023-24 season with the Jackets was particularly challenging. He was limited to only 18 games, scoring six goals and three assists.
The broken clavicle in December 2023 was initially expected to sideline him for six weeks, but he experienced a setback in his recovery.
Additionally, Laine spent time in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, addressing mental health concerns.
Due to these injuries and personal challenges, Laine has played just 129 of 246 possible games (52.4%) over the past three seasons.
Verdict on Laine’s Injury
We just hate to see this injury for Patrik Laine given everything he’s been through. There was so much hype for him following the trade from Columbus. Now, it seems like things might be over in Montreal before they even started.
We’re hoping this isn’t serious for the talented Finnish star, and we will keep you updated with the latest Patrik Laine injury updates.