"Better than season ending" "Dream scenario": NHL fans content as Patrik Laine's injury rumors suggest non-season-ending recovery period

Patrik Laine left the Montreal Canadiens' preseason game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday due to a leg injury. The injury occurred 3:49 into the first period after a knee-on-knee collision with Toronto forward Cedric Pare. The Canadiens quickly announced that Laine would not return, leaving fans concerned about the extent of his injury.

Laine was seen wearing a knee brace during Monday’s practice, but the Canadiens have yet to provide an official update.

Rumors began circulating on Tuesday when an NHL insider suggested Laine could be out for four to six months.

"Hearing #Habs Patrik Laine could be out 4-6 months. Nothing confirmed yet by team," Stu Cowan posted.

NHL fans started reacting to the post on X (formerly Twitter).

"I think that’s the dream scenario. Didn’t they say Dach was out for the year last year Stu? Or was there a time frame on that one too?," one fan said.

"Please be true, better than season ending for sure" another commented.

"That’s terrible. A preseason stupid hit too," one X user said.

Here are some more reactions from fans on X.

"Sounds like the kind of injury a player is never truly recovers from and it’s absolutely horrendous that happened in a meaningless pre-season game," a fan said.

"Not bad all things considered. He isn’t going anywhere and could be (should be) part of the team’s long term plans," another commented.

"I'll take that. I thought his knee was shredded and that meant a year of tough healing and physio," a fan posted.

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Coach St. Louis celebrates Patrik Laine's excitement for the game

Patrik Laine joined the Montreal Canadiens on August 19 in a trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 26-year-old forward was seen as a key addition for Montreal, and his arrival gave fans hope for a better season after the team’s struggles.

Coach Martin St. Louis expressed disappointment with Laine's injury, saying the team had helped him regain his excitement for hockey.

“The No. 1 job we had to do with Patty is make him excited to come to the rink, and he was,” St. Louis said (via NHL.com on Monday). “And it’s not just my job, it’s the group, you know? And what I’m really proud about the group -- and I know, obviously there’s a show called “The Rebuild”..."

Fans are hopeful for a quick recovery as Patrik Laine's return will be important for a team trying to improve its performance in the Atlantic Division.