Patrik Laine suffered an injury in the Montreal Canadiens’ pre-season game with the Toronto Maple Leafs this weekend, and fans haven’t been happy about it. The incident happened in Saturday’s game as he tried to skate into the offensive zone. Laine suffered a knee-on-knee collision with Leafs’ rookie Cedric Pare, a 25-year-old center yet to play an NHL game.
Laine didn’t return to the game, and the replays of the incidents didn’t calm the Canadiens fans down, with many fearing he’ll be sidelined for some time with a leg injury.
Laine was acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets this summer, and has been expected to be a key part of their lineup for the upcoming season. But now, it’s uncertain when he’ll be able to play again, and many have absolutely slammed Pare for the collision with the Finnish star player.
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Now, Georges Laraque, a former player for the Montreal Canadiens known for his tough playing style and fighting abilities, has taken to social media to share his frustration about the incident. On X, Laraque called Pare’s actions a ’cheap shot,’ and he also claimed that he broke an unwritten NHL rule.
”Pare needs to learn the code in the NHL, you give a cheap shot like that, you face the music, that was a coward move!,” Laraque wrote.
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Laraque also speculated that the knee-on-knee collision may have been retaliation for a previous incident in the game, but he also praised Arber Xhekaj for his actions after the hit on Laine, dropping the gloves.
”Laine getting hurt, possibly out for the season, it looks bad, will be a buzz killer for Montreal. That was a cheap shot! Retaliation for the Tavares hit by Pezzeta? I’m not sure, but it will make the first game of the season against Toronto interesting … Xhekaj did what he had to do!” Laraque said.
