The Montreal Canadiens are getting some good news regarding Patrik Laine’s injury

The team announced Tuesday that Montreal Canadiens forward Patrik Laine will be sidelined for two to three months with a sprained left knee that will not require surgery.

Laine, 26, left the field in the first half of Saturday’s preseason game against the Toronto Maple Leafs after colliding with his knee on Toronto forward Cedric Pare. He remained on the ice after the collision and needed help from coaches to get to the locker room.

Considering how serious his injury was early on and many expected him to miss the entire season, Laine’s relatively quick return is great news for the Canadiens. The timeline given has him returning around mid-season in December or January and gives him a chance to make an impact thereafter.

Montreal acquired Laine along with a 2026 second-round draft pick from the Columbus Blue Jackets in the offseason in exchange for defenseman Jordan Harris. His final season in Columbus was challenging due to injury and an extended stay in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, as he scored just six goals and nine points in 18 games.

Laine, the second overall pick in the 2016 draft, started his career with the Winnipeg Jets, but injuries have plagued him over the past few seasons. He hopes to get his career back on track in Montreal, even if the injury is a setback for him.

Earlier Tuesday, the Canadiens announced that defenseman David Reinbacher will be sidelined for five to six months after surgery on his left knee. Reinbacher, the No. 5 pick in the 2023 draft, also left Saturday’s game in the first quarter, although his injury was even more serious.

Montreal will play two more preseason games – both against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday and Saturday – before opening the regular season in Toronto on October 9. Considering what happened before the season, the hostility between the two long-time rivals could be even greater.

Be sure to bookmark Breakaway OnSI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage and more!