We finally have an official update from the Montreal Canadiens on Patrik Laine, who was injured in a preseason game against the Toronto Maple Leafs Saturday night.
Given the way it looked in the video, it seems this could have been a lot worse. The Montreal Canadiens have given an official update on Patrik Laine’s status after he was injured in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs Saturday night, and Laine may have actually caught a break in this incident by not having anything broken.
Patrik Laine is forced to leave the game with a knee injury after colliding with Cedric Pare. pic.twitter.com/3rAOIRrfrQ
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) September 28, 2024
According to the Montreal Canadiens, Patrik Laine has a sprain in his left knee. There is no surgery required, which puts his return time at two to three months.
L'attaquant Patrik Laine souffre d'une entorse au genou gauche qui ne nécessitera pas de chirurgie. Sa période de réadaptation prévue est de deux à trois mois.
Forward Patrik Laine sustained a sprain to his left knee that will not require surgery. His rehabilitation period is… pic.twitter.com/sEPrSPDGHH
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) October 1, 2024
Unfortunately for the Montreal Canadiens, the team has also announced that defenseman and first-round pick David Reinbacher will require knee surgery and will miss five to six months while recovering. He was taken out in the same game as Patrik Laine on what appeared to be a routine hit.
Le défenseur David Reinbacher a été opéré au genou gauche ce matin. Sa période de réadaptation est évaluée à cinq à six mois.
Defenseman David Reinbacher underwent surgery to his left knee this morning. His rehabilitation period is expected to be from 5 to 6 months. pic.twitter.com/tzgyhkgXeR
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) October 1, 2024
While Patrik Laine, the Montreal Canadiens, and fans will no doubt be disappointed with the prognosis, there was speculation in the beginning that he may have been shut down for the entire 2024-25 season. With two to three months, there’s a chance Laine could be in the lineup again before Christmas, provided there are no setbacks. Still, it’s a tough pill to swallow after missing several games over the past three seasons, including just 18 games in 2023-24, to injury and working on his mental health.
Elliotte Friedman explains why Montreal Canadiens Arber Xhekaj avoided suspension for retribution incident
Many were surprised that Arber Xhekaj received only a fine for his activities involving Cedric Paré of the Toronto Maple Leafs, but Elliotte Friedman explains why.
The Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs faced off on Saturday, which was a stressful night, especially for preseason action. At the end of the night, the Canadiens were missing newly acquired star Patrik Laine due to a potential long-term injury, while Arber Xhekaj was expelled from the game for virtually leaping the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Cedric Paré, who hit Laine.
Arber Xhekaj unloads on Pare after he injured Laine. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/lq75y4fMmN
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) September 28, 2024
Arber Xhekaj was fined the maximum amount, $3,385.42, for unsportsmanlike conduct . That left many wondering why the defenseman wasn’t suspended for at least a game or two. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman has explained.
Cedric Pare ➡️ Patrik Laine • #HFhits
Leafs 🆚 Canadiens • NHL 2024 https://t.co/cF0KzZnYR6 pic.twitter.com/mxE5TY8CDW— hockeyfights (@hockeyfights) September 29, 2024
Elliotte Friedman said he’s convinced that the apparent severity of the injury to Patrik Laine was a factor in the reason why Arber Xhekaj managed to avoid a suspension. Had Xhekaj done the same thing to Cedric Paré without a major injury to a teammate, the consequences would have been different.
‘If there is no injury on the play, he’s getting suspended for that. But I think because of the injury, I would bet a lot of people, and you can call everyone neanderthals, I don’t care. I just understand it’s his way it goes. I would guarantee to you, that because there was a serious injury on the play or what looks to be a serious injury, Xhekaj did not get the worst punishment he could have gotten. I have no doubt they didn’t like him punching him with the gloves on, and that’s why he got 27 minutes and thrown out of the game. I’m sure he was told don’t do that again, butbut I’m sure he got less punishment than he could have.’
