Cowan: Canadiens close book after puzzling end to Patrik Laine saga
The Canadiens’ Patrik Laine had a one-word answer when asked if he was still injured at the end of the season.
“No.”
Laine only played five games this season, picking up one assist, before having surgery in late October to repair a core muscle injury. At the time, the Canadiens said Laine would be out for three to four months and placed him on injured reserve. He stayed on injured reserve for the rest of the season and playoffs despite practising with the Canadiens in a full-contact sweater since late January.
It was a bizarre situation.
Was he ever given the green light by the Canadiens’ medical staff to resume playing?
“Yes,” Laine said Monday when Canadiens management and players met with the media for the last time this season. “I don’t remember when, exactly. But I did get a green light, yes. I don’t remember the exact date — might have to check my calendar on that.
“I think I could have come back pretty early … but it’s just one of those things,” Laine added. “When you have surgeries and stuff, you don’t always feel 100 per cent. I’ve been unfortunate that I’ve had plenty of those, so I kind of have experience with that. But, yeah, I probably could have played pretty soon after New Year’s.
“But also, you don’t want to rush anything and go and play too early, and then you’ll take a setback and then it takes longer. So I kind of wanted to be more and more cautious with that and take a little longer than expected. That’s kind of how it went.”
Now, Laine’s time with the Canadiens has come to an end and the 28-year-old can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He said he was disappointed Canadiens GM Kent Hughes wasn’t able to move him to another team ahead of the March 6 NHL trade deadline.
“Just excited (about) where the wind takes me next year,” Laine said. “I’m excited to see new opportunities and see where it goes. I’m not too worried about it right now. Just right now, take a little breather and relax and then get back at it. We’ll see where the wind takes me.
“I know I’ll be playing in this league for a long time,” Laine added. “That’s not a question. That’s never something I’ve doubted. Just kind of need an opportunity, and I’m in great shape, feel good. Got still a lot of time before next season, so that’s definitely something I’m not worried about.
“But I think this year was especially hard since I didn’t play a lot of games and all that. But I learned things about myself this year that I probably wouldn’t have otherwise. Learned how to handle tough, tough situations that will last me for a lifetime, way beyond hockey. So it was kind of one of those up-and-down years, but there’s a lot of good stuff to take from this year moving forward, for sure.”
Hughes praised Laine on Monday, calling him an “exceptional” teammate and an “extraordinary” person. When asked about Laine staying on injured reserve, Hughes said: “I’m not sure at what point he could have played if he wanted to force it.”
The GM added that once it reached April, the chances of Laine playing again were slim because he hadn’t played in so long.
Teammate Kirby Dach — who has had his own injury issues and played only 37 games during the regular season — also praised the way Laine handled the situation this season.
“Patty’s great,” Dach said. “We love Patty and he’s a ton of fun to be around. He enjoys life and loves the game of hockey. Watching him in the league when I was younger and what he’s been able to do and accomplish is pretty special. I think for us to be able to learn from a guy like that and his experiences was huge as well.”
Hughes acquired Laine from the Columbus Blue Jackets two summers ago in exchange for defenceman Jordan Harris and a second-round pick at this year’s NHL Draft. Hughes traded that draft pick to the Los Angeles Kings on Dec. 19 this season in exchange for Phillip Danault.
Laine and his wife, Jordan Leigh Laine, fell in love with Montreal during the past two seasons. After spending time in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program for mental health issues at the end of his time in Columbus, Laine and his wife co-founded a non-profit organization called From Us to You. It provides a safe space for people to share their experiences with psychological challenges and also seek support.
Laine said the thing he will miss most about Montreal is the people.
“Not you guys (media) — not for one bit,” he said with a smile. “Not going to miss that.
“I’m just kidding … I love everybody,” he added. “I think just the city overall. It definitely felt like home the last two years we’ve been here. We’ve been pretty open about it and just the organization. I’ve been super blessed and privileged to be part of this organization for a couple of years. Got to thank them for that. Just going to miss everything about it. Being here, it’s the best place to play hockey, and for a reason. Just going to miss it all, I think.”
