MONTREAL (AP) 鈥� Montreal Canadiens forward Patrik Laine is expected to miss two to three months with a sprained left knee that won鈥檛 require surgery.
The Canadiens announced the injury update Tuesday after Laine exited early in Saturday鈥檚 2-1 preseason loss to Toronto following a knee-on-knee collision with Maple Leafs forward C茅dric Par茅.
While Laine avoided the worst, the Canadiens announced earlier Tuesday that rookie defenseman David Reinbacher is out five to six months after undergoing surgery on his left knee.
Laine crumpled to the ice moments after Reinbacher 鈥� the No. 5 pick at last year鈥檚 draft 鈥� fell awkwardly from a hit by Toronto鈥檚 Marshall Rifai.
Laine from the Columbus Blue Jackets on Aug. 19, generating excitement for a fan base deprived of playoff hockey the past three seasons.
Montreal traded defenseman Jordan Harris but also acquired a second-round draft pick in 2026 while taking on Laine鈥檚 $8.7 million salary cap hit for two seasons.
The 26-year-old sharpshooter from Finland scored a career-high 44 goals as a sophomore with the Winnipeg Jets in 2017-18 and was excited for a fresh start in Montreal after a challenging year with the Blue Jackets.
Laine had six goals and three assists in 18 games before he broke his clavicle on Dec. 14. He also in January for his mental health and was cleared in July.
Reinbacher was likely to start the season with the Laval Rocket, Montreal鈥檚 American Hockey League affiliate.
The 19-year-old from Austria spent the last two seasons with Switzerland鈥檚 Kloten HC.
He also registered two goals and three assists in 11 games with Laval late last season.
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The Associated Press
