(Mont-Tremblant) As Patrik Laine lay on the ice last Saturday night following a violent collision with his left knee, just about every observer thought his season was over before it even began.
The main person concerned didn’t think about it right away. “It just hurt,” he said Thursday morning in Mont-Tremblant, on the sidelines of public training organized by the Habs.
“At the time, I was especially wondering how I was going to get back up,” he added, displaying good humor in the circumstances. I suspected something was wrong. I didn’t know exactly what until later…”
Almost 72 hours after the shock, the diagnosis was made public: the victim of a sprain, the attacker will have to be absent for two to three months. Bad news from the perspective that he hoped to return to competition after 10 months away from the ice rink. But excellent news as an operation would clearly have cost him the entire season.
Citing general manager Kent Hughes, Radio-Canada revealed earlier this week that Laine and the organization obtained three medical opinions before deciding to go the route of rehabilitation without surgery. The first prognosis directed him to the operating table.
After discussing with the medical staff and club management, the Finn made his decision. “It’s my knee, after all,” he argued.
He thus believes he “dodged a bullet”. The road to recovery will be long, but “it could have been even worse”.
It’s not my first [blessure] knee, I’ve been there before, he recalled. Operation or not, there is never a guarantee. […] Now it’s up to me to get to work. We have excellent medical staff. I’m not worried.
Patrick Laine
Laine admitted he was “miserable” in the first few days following his injury. “Very emotional,” too. Anyone in his situation would also have looked down: a collarbone injury and a stint in the NHL player assistance program forced him to miss 64 games last season with the Columbus Blue Jackets . Eager for a change of environment, he was traded to the Canadiens last August and seemed genuinely excited about the idea of breathing new life into his career.
“I fought so hard to get back on the ice,” he said. Then, in the second match [présaison]on my second appearance, I hurt myself again. But it is what it is. In this sport, you get injured sometimes. […] At least I will have the second half of the season left. »
If his rehabilitation goes as planned, he could indeed aspire to return to the game during the month of December, if not at the beginning of 2025.
” Positive “
More than once, Patrik Laine insisted that he remained “positive” through this ordeal.
He seemed relaxed in front of the dozen journalists gathered around him. Standing despite his crutches, he joked when a cameraman took a close-up of his injured leg. A knee brace prevents him from wearing a shoe. He suggested providing the address of the store where he purchased his socks if anyone wanted to get the same.
He doesn’t yet know when he might give up his crutches. “Tomorrow, I will not be on the ice,” he assured, smiling.
He doesn’t blame Cédric Paré, of the Maple Leafs, with whom the shock causing his sprain took place.
I don’t think anyone wants to hurt anyone. It’s a fast game. I put myself somewhat in this situation. The defending player tried to stop me, it was an unfortunate collision. He texted me afterwards. I have respect for that.
Patrick Laine
Laine also believed he would be forced to skip the team’s stay in Mont-Tremblant, intended to unite the group before the season begins. He was therefore happy to receive the green light from the doctors and to take advantage of the day to “meet everyone off the ice”.
“It was important to have something else to do, to take my mind off things, to spend time with the guys and have fun,” he said. It’s good to be here. »
His teammates unsurprisingly welcomed his presence. “He’s a funny guy, it’s fun to hang out with him,” said Cole Caufield. In his eyes, Laine’s absence of two to three months, “under the circumstances”, is the best scenario imaginable. “It gives him something to aim for,” said the striker.
David Savard noted that it is not easy for anyone to join a new team. Consequently, he found it “important” that Laine was on the trip. “And we will try to do the same thing in Montreal,” added the Quebecer. We want to include it as often as possible. We want to make him feel part of the team. »