The Montreal Canadiens confirmed the first half of some brutal injury news on Tuesday. The Habs announced that 19-year-old defenseman David Reinbacher is set to miss 5-6 months after undergoing knee surgery stemming from a play in their preseason game against the Toronto Maple Leafs last weekend.
In the same game, Patrik Laine also suffered a major knee injury and, per Stu Cowan from The Montreal Gazette, could also be out 4-6 months. The Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli says the pending decision for Laine is whether to get surgery or not.
Le défenseur David Reinbacher a été opéré au genou gauche ce matin. Sa période de réadaptation est évaluée à cinq à six mois.
Defenseman David Reinbacher underwent surgery to his left knee this morning. His rehabilitation period is expected to be from 5 to 6 months. pic.twitter.com/tzgyhkgXeR
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) October 1, 2024
Reinbacher left the ice just seconds after the puck was dropped in the first period against Toronto when he took a seemingly innocuous hit from Maple Leafs defenseman Marshall Rifai. The fifth overall selection in the 2023 NHL Draft was in clear distress as he limped down the tunnel and needed help to get to Monteal’s locker room.
The young blueliner has a history of knee injury, previously suffering from an MCL problem after taking a hip check from Rasmus Sandin during the 2023 World Championship. Reinbacher was expected to make the Canadiens out of camp and receive his NHL debut after playing 11 games for the AHL’s Laval Rocket last season.
Canadiens star winger Juraj Slafkovsky later got in a fight with Rifai.
Just over three minutes after Reinbacher was forced off of the ice, Laine was taken out by a knee-on-knee hit from Maple Leafs forward Cedric Pare. As the big Finnish winger cut into Toronto’s zone, Pare was caught flat-footed and stuck out his leg, clipping Laine and spinning him to the ice.
Laine stayed down, clutching at his left knee, and needed help off the ice and back to the locker room.
Canadiens enforcer Arber Xhekaj jumped Pare later in the period, pummeling the long-time AHL forward with several gloved punches. Xhekaj was given a five-minute major for fighting, an additional instigator penalty, and ejected via game misconduct.
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety did not suspend Xhekaj but fined him $3,385.42 for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Laine was spotted at Monday’s practice wearing a large knee brace and walking on crutches.
Patrik Laine en béquilles, mais souriant malgré tout. pic.twitter.com/Fj064I65gX
— Anthony Martineau (@Antho_Martineau) September 30, 2024
After falling out of favor with the Columbus Blue Jackets and stating his desire to no longer play for the team, Laine was traded to the Canadiens on August 19, along with a second-round pick in 2026, for defenseman Jordan Harris. The 26-year-old forward was looking to revive his career in Montreal after playing in just 18 games for Columbus last season, recording nine points (6g, 3a).
“The number one job we had to do with Patty was make him excited to come to the rink,” Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis said Monday. “And he was…it stings a little more because I feel he was excited to come to the rink.”
Update (5:00 pm): The Canadiens have confirmed Laine’s injury, calling it a “sprain to his left knee that will not require surgery.” He is expected to be out for the next 2-3 months while he rehabs.
L'attaquant Patrik Laine souffre d'une entorse au genou gauche qui ne nécessitera pas de chirurgie. Sa période de réadaptation prévue est de deux à trois mois.
Forward Patrik Laine sustained a sprain to his left knee that will not require surgery. His rehabilitation period is… pic.twitter.com/sEPrSPDGHH
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) October 1, 2024
