Injury News on Patrik Laine Suggests Run with Canadiens Likely Over
Montreal Canadiens forward Patrik Laine is facing an extended absence from the ice after undergoing surgery to repair a core muscle injury. The team announced on Saturday that the 27-year-old winger is expected to miss three to four months. The procedure was performed by Dr. Mark Zoland at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York.
Laine hasn't played since October 16th, in a 3-2 overtime win against the Nashville Predators. He took his last shift with 4:36 remaining in the third period. He was initially listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Before the injury, Laine had recorded one assist in five games this season, averaging a career-low 12 minutes and 26 seconds of ice time.
This marks the second consecutive season where Laine has been sidelined with a significant injury. Last season, his first with the Canadiens after being acquired in a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets, he missed the first 24 games due to a knee injury sustained during the preseason. He finished the 2024-25 season with 20 goals and 13 assists in 52 games.
The timing of this injury is particularly challenging for both Laine and the Canadiens. Laine is in the final year of his contract, which carries an $8.7 million average annual value, and is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the campaign. His future with the organization was already a topic of speculation, and this lengthy absence further complicates the situation.
Prior to the injury announcement, there had been trade proposals suggesting the Canadiens might be looking to move on from Laine. Caleb Kerney of Heavy Sports proposed a trade that would send Laine back to the Blue Jackets in exchange for young forward Yegor Chinakhov. Another proposal had the Canadiens acquiring Jonatan Berggren from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for Laine.
Laine's time in Montreal has been inconsistent. While he possesses undeniable offensive talent, injuries and perceived lack of fit within the Canadiens' system have prevented him from consistently performing at his peak. In 537 career regular-season games with the Winnipeg Jets, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Canadiens, Laine has recorded 422 points (224 goals, 198 assists). The Canadiens will now need to rely on other players, such as Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki, to fill the void left by Laine's absence.
The Canadiens have started the 2025-26 season with a 6-3-0 record. They are currently first in the Atlantic Division. Laine's injury presents a significant test for the team as they navigate the next few months without one of their key offensive contributors. The team's performance during this period could ultimately influence their long-term plans for Laine and their approach to the trade deadline.
