Latest news with #PatrikLaine
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Blackhawks Announce IceHogs Hiring Of Head Coach Jared Nightingale
Canadiens: Could There Be A Big Trade In The Works With Minnesota? It's well-documented that Kent Hughes would like to address the Montreal Canadiens' problems down the middle this Summer. With Ivan Demidov now in North America and Patrik Laine unable to produce at even-strength last season, the Habs need a real top-six center who will have the skills to get the best out of the two talented wingers. The Minnesota Wild could help.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Canadiens: Could There Be A Big Trade In The Works With Minnesota?
Canadiens: Could There Be A Big Trade In The Works With Minnesota? It's well-documented that Kent Hughes would like to address the Montreal Canadiens' problems down the middle this Summer. With Ivan Demidov now in North America and Patrik Laine unable to produce at even-strength last season, the Habs need a real top-six center who will have the skills to get the best out of the two talented wingers. The Minnesota Wild could help.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Canadiens: Is Mailloux On The Market?
Canadiens: Could There Be A Big Trade In The Works With Minnesota? It's well-documented that Kent Hughes would like to address the Montreal Canadiens' problems down the middle this Summer. With Ivan Demidov now in North America and Patrik Laine unable to produce at even-strength last season, the Habs need a real top-six center who will have the skills to get the best out of the two talented wingers. The Minnesota Wild could help.
Montreal Gazette
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Montreal Gazette
Canadiens, fans rekindled Patrik Laine's joy for hockey
Montreal Canadiens By The joy of the game Patrik Laine grew up loving and playing in Finland returned this season, and that's the underlying factor he'll take with him into the summer as he prepares for next season. That the fun was rekindled with the Canadiens in Montreal, where every player's move is dissected, will strike many as surprising after Laine played in relative anonymity in Columbus. 'The only goal I had for myself this year was to really enjoy playing again,' Laine said Friday, when Canadiens players had their season-ending media availability at the CN Sports Complex in Brossard. 'I definitely did that even though it was hard at times. I still enjoyed every bit of it. 'People are always going to talk about numbers,' he added. 'But (the season) was a success because I got to enjoy this awesome sport again.' The 27-year-old winger had 20 goals — 15 on the power play — and 33 points in 52 games after missing more than two months at the start of the season with a knee sprain. He became an instant fan favourite when he scored in his Canadiens debut, a 2-1 overtime victory against the New York Islanders at the Bell Centre on Dec. 3. There's no doubt Laine, 6-foot-4 and 208 pounds, is a natural scorer. Five of his goals were game-winners and his offence was produced off a modest 116 shots, for an excellent 17.2 per cent shooting percentage. But he also could be considered a defensive liability, with a minus-14 differential. He appeared lethargic at times on the ice, skating awkwardly. Laine was less effective during the playoffs, however, limited to two games against the Washington Capitals and held to one assist while going minus-2. That led to speculation he was benched, although Laine disclosed he sustained a broken finger in that second game, the result of a slash. 'The whole organization, and the city overall, kind of gave me that spark again to enjoy the sport,' he said. 'Being around these guys here, everybody in the organization and the city, it was awesome. It definitely helped me go through tough times this year. When it was hard to enjoy the (rehabilitation) process, that kept me motivated. 'I was expecting the joy would return playing in a hockey market,' Laine added. 'I always enjoy being in new situations. I don't care if there's a lot of pressure and expectations. I'd much prefer that versus ... I'm not talking about Columbus, but playing somewhere there's less pressure and other things going on where you're not noticed as much. I much prefer this.' During his season-ending availability on Monday, Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes stressed the team wouldn't have made the playoffs without Laine's contributions and willingness to become a better player. Acquired in a trade last August for defenceman Jordan Harris, Laine will enter the final season of his four-year, US$34.8-million contract. He carries a cap hit of US$8.7 million, the highest among Montreal's active players. His contract also contains a 10-team no-trade clause. Originally selected second overall by Winnipeg in 2016, Laine was traded to Columbus in 2021. He reached his low point in December 2023 after suffering a broken clavicle. The next month, he entered the NHL's player assistance program and requested a trade. While Laine wasn't always made available to the media this season and appeared aloof at times during scrums, he was gracious and accommodating with his time. He also said he read everything written about him. 'You can always play better,' he said. 'But when you look at the circumstances — a lot of people don't when they judge you — I'm pretty happy. A lot of guys wouldn't have done as well as I did. When you look at the circumstances, it wasn't easy at all. I'm satisfied.'
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
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 @ and Threads @karinehains. Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.
