Patrik Laine stirs up controversy with end of season comments.

The Montreal Canadiens were forced to play without Patrik Laine all season long after the talented forward suffered a core muscle injury back in October, or at least so we thought. While Laine did in fact suffer the injury and was out of action on injured reserve all season long, as it turns out that didn't have to be the case at all.

On Monday, as the Canadiens were having their final media availability of the season during locker room cleanout day, Laine just casually dropped a bombshell on reporters when he revealed that he was not hurt for the majority of the season. Laine informed members of the media that, although he did not play and although he was not traded ahead of the NHL's Trade Deadline, he was healthy enough for both.

So just how long was Laine healthy for without playing? Well according to his own words it sounds like as soon as the calendar turned to 2026, Laine could have hit the ice for the Canadiens. Laine had resumed skating around that time so there is good reason to believe that he is telling the truth.

"I’ve probably could have played pretty soon after New Year’s," said Laine stunning the reporters in attendance.

It is a little unbelievable that the Canadiens had a player earning a staggering $8.7 million against the cap last season and chose not to deploy him at any point in the regular season or in the playoffs after he had recovered from injury. Laine also mentioned that he expects he will have many more seasons in the NHL, but after opposing teams catch wind of these comments I have to question how much appeal Laine will have around the NHL.