Worst seems to be confirmed for Montreal Canadiens and Patrik Laine

Saturday evening during the Montreal Canadiens preseason game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Patrik Laine was caught up in a play between two players, was helped off the ice and didn't return Well according to reports he was seen after the game with a brace on his left knee and walking on crutches, which doesn't bode well for the twenty-six-year-old acquired earlier this summer from the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Laine, hampered by injuries and a stint in the players' assistance program, was supposed to use his opportunity in Montreal as a new beginning and a breath of fresh air. While it's unknown at this time whether Laine could miss any significant time, it feels as if the facilitated trade was all for naught. Unfortunately, David David Reinbacher also left on crutches and a brace on his left knee as well.

Laine can be a great player in the right situation. With some young up-and-coming talent, it seemed like the Canadiens were an appropriate fit. But to gamble on a player who had only skated in 175 games the previous five seasons seems a bit risky.

While Kent Hughes looks like he had done his due diligence before acquiring Laine, Laine himself just can't catch a break. The hope is that if he does have to miss any significant time during the regular season, he comes back healthy and ready to contribute to the team, whenever that will be.