Potential injury timeline for Patrik Laine revealed

Heading into the 2024/25 season, there was plenty of optimism in Montreal that this young team could potentially turn things around and push for a Stanley Cup Playoffs spot. Unfortunately, those hopes and dreams have now been dealt a major blow, as Patrik Laine's injury is reportedly set to keep him out for the entire 2024 calendar year, meaning he will be out for at least three months.

This is a major blow to Montreal, although the timeline isn't unexpected, as many feared the worst for his entire season after the injury suffered because of Toronto Maple Leafs forward Cedric Pare. On Monday, Laine showed up to Canadiens practice full of smiles and positivity, but unfortunately, that didn't distract people from the crutches he used to walk, signalling that he could be out for a lengthy period of time.

With Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook, Laine was expected to form a lethal second line for a Canadiens team that has lacked elite play in the last few years, but now, they'll be forced into a major reshuffle with just days before the new season begins. At 26-years of age, Laine struggled through the 2023/24 campaign with the Columbus Blue Jackets, and now he's been dealt another major blow with this injury, so hopefully he can get back on the ice this season and start proving he's one of the game's top goal scorers once again.