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Laine doesn't blame Maple Leafs' Pare for knee injury
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Laine doesn't blame Maple Leafs' Pare for knee injury

“It's just an unfortunate collision and he texted me afterwards, which I give him respect for that.”

Trevor Connors

Injured Montreal Canadiens forward Patrik Laine spoke to the media for the first time this morning following his gruesome knee injury suffered earlier in the pre-season.

Laine will not undergo surgery and is expected back in the team's lineup in 2-3 months following what he calls an "unfortunate collision" with Toronto Maple Leafs forward Cedric Pare. In fact, Laine said today that he does not blame Pare for his injury and that he appreciates the fact that Pare personally reached out to him after the collision.

From Laine this morning courtesty 

"I don't think anybody's trying to hurt anybody. Hockey's a fast game and kind of put myself in that situation a little bit trying to make a stop. It's just an unfortunate collision and he texted me afterwards, which I give him respect for that."

I kind of dodged a bullet with the knee; it could've been much worse. I mean, I'm not still happy with the injury, but it is what is and just trying to stay positive. We'll be back."

- Patrik Laine

Read below for our earlier report on Laine, published as news of his injury broke earlier this week.


UPDATE: The Montreal Canadiens have now confirmed that Patrik Laine will NOT require knee surgery and will be out of the lineup for just 2-3 months.

Check it out:


Yesterday Habs insider Stu Cowan reported that Laine would be out of the Canadiens lineup for 4-6 months!

Check it out:



Read below for our earlier report on this developing story, published by Hockey Feed staff writer Jonathan Larrivee.


One of the National Hockey League's top insiders has shared an early update on what is going on behind the scenes with injured Montreal Canadiens star forward Patrik Laine, and unfortunately his comments make it sound like there may be a real cause for concern here.

While recording his podcast on Sunday evening, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed that, while the Canadiens are trying to remain hopeful, the team is indeed preparing for the worst when it comes to Laine's seemingly devastating knee injury.

"The Canadiens do not know the extent of the damage yet," said Friedman on the 32 Thoughts podcast. "I think the best way to put it is they are hoping for the best but preparing for the worst."

You can hardly blame the Canadiens for anticipating a potentially terrible outcome here given the scenes that we witnessed on Saturday night. The first of which was of course the moment of impact itself when Maple Leafs centerman Cedric Pare went knee on knee with the aforementioned Laine.

Laine had to be helped off the ice, unable to walk back to the locker room under his own power, and that scene likely also left the Canadiens very concerned. Making matters even worse, Laine could be seen throwing his gloves and helmet in frustration as he was being helped to the back by members of the Canadiens staff.

For the brief moment that we see Laine's face in the clip above, right as Laine turns the corner towards the locker room, we can clearly see on his face that he is in a great deal of pain.

Friedman would again reiterate during the podcast that the Canadiens are preparing for some tough news ahead.

"Hopefully they will get the best possible news, although as I said they are bracing for worse than that," said Friedman.

The Canadiens will have a media availability a little later today after a morning skate that is schedule to take place around 10:30 am EST, so stay tuned for more details on this quickly developing story.

Source: Sportsnet