Canadiens: Laine Had A Successful Year
As usual, the Montreal Canadiens players spoke to the media on locker room clearing day to reflect on their season. Unlike last season, when the Habs missed the playoffs, this year's group met and exceeded management's expectations.
Canadiens: Martin St-Louis Named Finalist For Jack Adams Trophy
Canadiens: About Montembeault's Injury
Canadiens: The End For Patrik Laine?
Advertisement
Patrik Laine had set a different goal for himself; however, he wanted to enjoy playing hockey again, and he succeeded. Speaking to the press on Friday morning, he explained:
For me, obviously, with an injury and stuff, it wasn't the easiest start. The only goal that I had for myself this year was to really enjoy playing again, and I definitely did that. Even though it was hard at times, I still enjoyed every bit of it. For me individually, you know, people are always going to talk about numbers and all that, but for me, it was a success that I got to enjoy this sport again.
-
As for the injury that ruled him out of the last three playoff games, he described it as a 'fly-by slash' and explained that there was no issue with his knee. He was pleased he decided not to have surgery and added that none was necessary right now either, that his knee was fine.
Asked how Montreal helped rekindle his love for hockey, the big Finn explained:
The whole organization, the city overall kind of gave me that spark again to enjoy the sport, everyone involved, well not you guys [the media], you guys definitely weren't part of it, but the organization overall, nah I was kidding. Being around these guys here, everybody within the organization and the city is just so awesome, it definitely helped me go through tough times this year, still when it was hard to enjoy the process and keep you motivated, so I think it was pretty great.
- Laine on how Montreal helped him find the joy of playing again.
The sniper wants to have a week of rest and start training again, something he didn't have the luxury to do last off-season with the shoulder surgery he had to undergo. He's happy he has all the time he needs to be in good shape when camp comes and be better than he was this past September.
Advertisement
Laine wasn't surprised that his love for the sport came back in a city like Montreal, where there is so much scrutiny. He even added that he preferred that kind of setting to a place where hockey isn't such a priority. He then quickly added that he wasn't talking about Columbus there. It's almost as if he learned his lesson from the comments he made before a game against the Blue Jackets earlier this season.
In closing, he said he was glad he didn't retire when he considered doing it not so long ago, an option he had discussed with his GM and agent. While Laine did infuriate some fans throughout the season with his defensive shortcomings and lack of impact at even strength, he was seventh in scoring on the team with 33 points in just 52 games and had the league's third-highest total of power play goals with 15.
It will be interesting to see what Kent Hughes says about the enigmatic winger when he speaks to the press on Monday, but he knew going in that even-strength play wasn't Laine's forte. The left winger seemed comfortable and at ease with the press on Friday, adding some jokes to his answers and even referring to young teammate Ivan Demidov as Demigod, this to me doesn't look like a player who believes he's on his way out.
Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, never to miss a story.
Advertisement
Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.
Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Boston Globe
a day ago
- Boston Globe
Former Bruin Marco Sturm named the team's head coach
Advertisement Sturm was an emotional player who scored some big goals during his Black and Gold tenure, including a playoff winner against the Canadiens in 2008 and an overtime strike against the Flyers in the first Winter Classic at Fenway Park in 2010. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'Throughout this process, our goal was to identify a coach who could uphold our strong defensive foundation while helping us evolve offensively,' Don Sweeney said. 'We were also looking for a communicator and leader – someone who connects with players, develops young talent, and earns the respect of the room. Marco impressed us at every step with his preparation, clarity, and passion." Following a 938-game NHL career that wrapped in 2012, Sturm embarked on a coaching career, guiding the German national team as head coach and general manager beginning in 2015. Germany won a surprise silver medal at the 2018 Olympics. Advertisement After spending four seasons as a Kings assistant, Sturm has spent the last three seasons as head coach of Los Angeles's top affiliate, the Ontario Reign. He had a 119-80-11 mark with the Reign. Sturm was a finalist last year for San Jose's head coaching vacancy that eventually went to Ryan Warsofsky, who just led the United States to the gold medal at the IIHF World Championship. — Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) A defensively responsible winger during his playing career, Sturm's time in the Kings organization, which preaches a philosophy of strict defensive structure and strong goaltending, should make him a strong fit in Boston. The 46-year-old Sturm fits the profile of what general manager Don Sweeney was looking for in a coach. 'Evolve offensively, especially with younger players, and integrate them,' Sweeney said at the team's end-of-season news conference. 'But if you don't defend in the National Hockey League, you don't have sustained success.' The Bruins have a strong defense corps featuring veterans Charlie McAvoy, Hampus Lindholm, and Nikita Zadorov. Additionally, Jeremy Swayman appeared to return to form in backstopping the US to gold last month in Stockholm. Jim McBride can be reached at
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Are Habs fans cheering for the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup final?
As the Edmonton Oilers face off against the Florida Panthers for the second year in a row, we asked Montreal Canadiens fans if they're putting aside their loyalty to the bleu, blanc, rouge for the chance to have the Stanley Cup back on Canadian soil.
CNN
2 days ago
- CNN
Stanley Cup: The storied, sometimes questionable and funny, history of one of sports' greatest trophies
(CNN) — It's one of the most recognizable trophies in sports, with a history dating back to the 19th century, so it's no surprise that the Stanley Cup has a story or two to tell. Named after Lord Stanley of Preston, a Canadian governor general who donated the first Cup back in 1892, the trophy is awarded to the NHL champions every year. It is, and always has been, the pinnacle of the sport and something players dedicate their entire lives to winning. With that being the case, it's perhaps predictable that those who manage to get their hands on the trophy are keen to celebrate, especially since it is tradition that every player of the winning squad gets to spend an entire day with the prized silverware. Problem is, that's left the poor old Stanley Cup in some unusual situations. CNN Sports looks at some of the most bizarre predicaments it's ended up in. Montreal Canadiens In almost cartoon-like fashion, the Montreal Canadiens left the trophy on the side of the road after winning it in 1924. The story goes that a car carrying some of the team had stalled going up a hill, meaning players had to get out to push. It wasn't until they reached the top that they realized they had left one of the most famous trophies in the world behind! Prized possession The Stanley Cup is looked after by a team of people with the title of 'Keeper of the Cup.' These people travel with the trophy, keeping it clean and, more importantly, safe. At least one member of the team is always with the trophy when it's in public. 'We get called different things too. People have fun with it. They call us Cup keepers, Cup dudes, Cup guys. You know, handlers is all kinds of terms, but in essence, we're basically babysitting the Cup,' Howie Burrow, Keeper of the Cup, told CNN Sports. Edmonton Oilers It's only natural that players want to party after finally getting their hands on the trophy and that seemed to be the case with the Edmonton Oilers following the magical final series in 1987, where the Oilers blew a 3-1 series lead, but managed to pull off the win in Game 7 against the Philadelphia Flyers. Led by Mark Messier, both on and off the ice, the Oilers reportedly went partying to celebrate and accidentally damaged the Stanley Cup over the course of the night, requiring repairs before being returned. Global tour The Stanley Cup has traveled to dozens of countries around the world, including places such as Afghanistan, Japan, Scotland and the UAE. It doesn't get a first-class seat, though. Instead, it flies underneath the airplane in a very secure box. 'When I'm getting my boarding passes, I'll open it up to show whoever's checking me in, but soon as I do that, there's usually about a dozen people in the other lines going, 'Oh my God, that's a Stanley Cup. Can I get a photo? Can I touch it?'' Burrow told CNN. Pittsburgh Penguins One thing the trophy's handlers insist on is that the Cup shouldn't get wet – although that didn't stop the Pittsburgh Penguins. Now legendary photos show the team celebrating with the trophy in Canadian star Mario Lemieux's swimming pool. Luckily, though, it seems like the trophy floated. All shapes and sizes The Stanley Cup we see today has been the same shape since 1948, but it hasn't always looked the same. The first ever iteration of the trophy, back in 1892, was just a bowl and was called the Dominion Hockey Challenge Cup. Over the years, more tiers have been added to it and now the Cup stands at 35.25 inches and weighs 34.5 pounds. 'If you have to hang on to it for a long time and say, you have to walk a block or two because you're following somebody, it does get heavy. You're switching arms, or you got to put it down. You can work up a good sweat. But when the players first win it, right after on the ice, I mean, I'm sure it weighs hardly anything to them,' Burrow said to CNN. New York Rangers It seems even animals can enjoy the 'People's trophy.' In 1994, a photo was taken of Kentucky Derby winner Go For Gin eating out of the trophy while at New York's Belmont Park. New York Rangers star Eddie Olczyk was rumored to be behind the stunt, but he's since denied responsibility. Etched into history Each player of the winning team has their name etched into a band which is then placed onto the trophy – with older bands being retired through the years. Given the number of winners, it's not surprising that a few spelling mistakes have creeped onto the prestigious Cup. Detroit Red Wings What's the worst thing you could imagine happening to – or in – the Stanley Cup? Well, this might be it. When Kris Draper had his day with the trophy, he celebrated by putting his baby daughter in the Cup for a photo. Only she left behind a little surprise… by using the legendary trophy as a toilet. Summer tour Since 1995, every player who wins the Stanley Cup is allowed a day to celebrate with it – sometimes two – in any way they deem fit. The trophy is then returned to NHL trustees before the new season, meaning every team bids to win the prestigious trophy again. Pittsburgh Penguins Forward Josh Archibald got creative and used his time with the Cup to baptize his son. Three-week-old Brecken was photographed receiving his blessing while sitting in the bowl at the top of the trophy. Quite the experience for someone not even a month out in the world. Record winners No team in history has gotten its hands on the Stanley Cup more than the Montreal Canadiens. The Habs have won it 24 times, including a record five-in-a-row from 1956 to 1960. The franchise's first win came in 1916 – before the NHL even ran the tournament. The Canadiens haven't won it since 1993, though, and last reached the final in 2021.
