Situation worsens as doctor provides prognosis on Patrik Laine's injury
Patrik Laine's injury update was recently provided by Dr. Harjas Grewal, a physician who regularly offers insights on NHL player health.
Laine, who was recently traded to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Jordan Harris, left the game early after a knee-on-knee collision with Cedric Pare during a preseason match against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was seen clutching his knee & needed help getting off the ice.
Now there is concerns on how severe the injury is & whether Laine will be able to recover quickly or if it could jeopardize his season. Dr. Grewal weighed in on the situation, and the outlook isn't great.
At the very least, Laine might have a bone bruise, which would keep him out for an indefinite period, likely week-to-week. However, more serious possibilities include a torn meniscus, which could require anywhere from 4-6 weeks to several months to heal. The most concerning potential injury would be a torn ACL or MCL, or both. An MCL tear could keep him out for a significant period, while a torn ACL could end his season entirely.
This is reminiscent of the injury Montreal's Kirby Dach sustained last season, and other players like Taylor Hall and Mason Shaw have dealt with similar issues that required long recoveries.
Given how Laine's knee buckled, the injury appears serious. This is particularly unfortunate for Laine, who has already struggled with injuries throughout his career and previously sought support for his mental health. With a new opportunity in Montreal, Laine had been set to play a major role in one of the league's toughest divisions. Hopefully, this setback won't affect him too much physically or mentally.
As more information becomes available, we will provide updates, but for now, we hope the injury isn't too severe.
