The price of being a key figure on his team is something Patrik Laine is dealing with this NHL offseason, as the Montreal Canadiens prepare to stand out and live up to their expectation of making a deep playoff run. The immediate future carries high ambitions, while the present comes with heavy predictions.
In his second season with the Canadiens, Laine will face the challenge of proving he has the talent to score plenty of goals, especially on the power play. His 20 goals in 52 games last season make him a high-caliber forward for Montreal. However, doubts about his performance remain.
Former player and current analyst Georges Laraque issued a harsh warning about Laineās upcoming season with the Canadiens, predicting that the veteran forward wonāt even manage to play a full slate of games this year.
A grim prediction for Laine
āI donāt see him playing more than 40 games this year!ā Laraque declared emphatically during his appearance on BPM Sports, expressing skepticism about Laineās consistency with the team.
Patrik Laine #92 of the Montreal Canadiens
āWe know he has the talent to score a lot of goals ā especially on the power play ā ā¦ but if he feels like playing, he can be dominant. But if he decides to take a night off, it can be more difficult,ā Laraque added, pointing to Laineās motivation when stepping onto the ice.
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NHL News: Patrik Laineās Canadiens reportedly learn price to pay to officially move on from franchise icon
Canadiens keeping a close eye on Laine
First seasons are not always easy to handle. Laineās 2024-25 NHL campaign was marked by inconsistency and a knee injury that disrupted his rhythm on the ice. At the risk of fueling doubts from commentators like Laraque, the Montreal forward will now have the chance to prove his quality.
