A Major Update Regarding Patrik Laine's Status Has Been Revealed To The Montreal Canadiens

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Daniel Lucente
November 28, 2024 (9:28)

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Patrik Laine hasn't played a regular season game yet for the Canadiens this season, and the team has just received some fairly good news regarding his health.

Patrik Laine is one step closer to making his Montreal Canadiens debut after missing out on the season so far due to a knee injury he sustained in a Sept. 28 preseason game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The 26-year-old winger, who was added from the Columbus Blue Jackets during the offseason, took a significant jump in his recovery by participating in practice in a regular jersey for the first time this year.

He was traded to Montreal, in exchange for defenseman Jordan Harris and a draft pick. Defenseman David Savard is itching to get Laine back in the lineup.

"It's nice to have him back with us. It can feel like a long time when you're not practicing with the team, you don't see the guys as much. We've made an effort to keep him involved as much as possible during team meetings, but it's tougher when we're on the road. But it's great to see him and to know he's close to returning to play."

- David Savard

While there definitely have been times the hockey world has missed him, his progress was suggesting that a return to game action this month was likely, perhaps even within the week.

Speaking about Laine, Montreal Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis said, among other things, that he is getting closer, but he wants extra time to get into rhythm after such a long layoff.

"Will it take one game? Two weeks? I don't know, we'll see."

- Martin St. Louis

The Finnish winger hasn't taken the ice in an NHL game since December 14, 2023, for Columbus, missing huge swaths of time for a variety of different injuries and even some time in the NHL's mental health program.

His eventual return to the ice will be largely under the radar as he tries to make an impact in his first season with Montreal.