Canadiens Reveal Update on Patrik Laine

So there's good news and bad news on Patrik Laine, as the Montreal Canadiens have revealed the diagnosis after his ugly knee-on-knee collision in Saturday's preseason game:

It's a knee sprain, no surgery required. That's the good news. The bad news is that he will still be out for "two to three months." Though many Montreal observers are considering this a 'win', after the images on Saturday night of what appeared to be a potential season-ending injury. 

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

The incident occurred in Saturday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, when Laine was trying to split the defence going across the Leafs' blueline, when Cedric Pare hit him knee-on-knee at full speed.   

The two-to-three month timeline would have Laine returning sometime in December, perhaps the new year. 

Laine was super excited about his move to Montreal this offseason, after spending a forgettable 2023-24 with the Columbus Blue Jackets in which he played only 18 games and spent considerable time in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. 

The former No. 2 overall selection (2016 NHL Draft), still just 26, was hoping to regain his goal-scoring powers with the Habs this season. He began his career with the Winnipeg Jets with three straight 30+ goal seasons, and a 28-goal year in his 4th season. But after moving to Columbus, he's been struck by injury woes, and last year had just 9 points in those 18 games.