NHL analyst questions Canadiens' ability to succeed after Patrik Laine's potentially season-ending injury

The Montreal Canadiens' Patrik Laine left Saturday night's preseason game early in the first period after a knee-on-knee collision with the Toronto Maple Leafs' Cedric Pare. The forward, who was acquired by the Habs this offseason, collapsed on to the ice immediately after the collision and was seen clinching his left knee in pain.

Laine was helped off the ice by his teammates, and later with the help of medical officials, limped his way into the Habs' locker room. The Canadiens have not released a statement regarding an injury yet, but per sports injury expert Harjas Grewal, Laine may be out for weeks or the entire season depending on the severity of his injury.

TSN's hockey panel consisting of Frankie Corrado, Darren Dreger and Jeff O'Neil weighed in on Patrik Laine's possible season-ending injury. Corrado said:

"It's devastating for Patrik Laine, and it's potentially devastating for the Montreal Canadiens because this was the big swing your team made."

Laine requested a trade from Columbus after clearing the NHLPA assistance program. New GM Don Waddell respected the forward's wishes and made a trade that helped out all the involved parties. On Aug. 19, the Montreal Canadiens acquired Patrik Laine from the Columbus Blue Jackets in a trade that saw defenseman Jordan Harris and the Habs' 2026 second-round pick move to Columbus.

Laine was hailed to be the next big star on the Habs' lineup who would take the team to greater heights and help them make a deep playoff run. Assuming Patrik Laine is out for an extended period, if not the entire season, Corrado questioned the Habs' ability to perform better:

"A guy who has a lot of potential offensively, different than some of the players you currently have, and if he's not available to you, I'm not sure how much of a jump the Montreal Canadiens can make this season."

Patrik Laine was selected No. 2 in the 2016 NHL Draft by the Winnipeg Jets. He spent four seasons with the Jets and was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2020-21 season. The 26-year-old forward has 388 points from 204 goals and 184 assists in 480 regular-season games for the Jets and Blue Jackets.

"Unfortunate all around": Darren Dreger rounds up controversial Patrik Laine incident

Montreal-native Cedric Pare faced Canadiens fans wrath after the collission with Laine. The Habs' Arber Xhekaj took a few swings at an unsuspecting Pare in retaliation for the collission. Xhekaj racked up 27 penalty minutes, and was ejected from the game. The Habs defenseman was also fined $3385.42 for his "unsporstmanlike conduct" by the Department of Player Safety.

NHL insider Darren Dreger shared his thoughts on the incident:

"Laine is cutting across, Pare is just trying to get a piece stand him up. Should've there been a penalty called on the play? I think that's fair but I did not see this as being malicious. It's unfortunate all around."

The Leafs' Cedric Pare addressed the incident during the post-game interview and assured the collision with Laine was not intentional. He said:

"It's a fast game, it wasn't my intention. It's just unfortunate. I hope he's fine. It wasn't my intention. I didn't mean to do that."