Despite being sidelined with a knee injury, Patrik Laine might still have the opportunity to represent Team Finland at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February, according to the Montreal Canadiens’ general manager.
Jere Lehtinen mentioned during the 2024 NHL Global Series in Tampere, Finland, “We have a month to see where everyone is regarding their health and performance. Decisions haven’t been made yet.” He expressed disappointment over Laine’s recent struggles and noted, “We’re all eager to see him back in action. Let’s wait and see in a month.”
Laine’s past couple of years have been challenging; he hasn’t participated in a regular-season game since December 2023 due to a clavicle fracture sustained while with the Columbus Blue Jackets, followed by a stint in the NHL/NHLPA’s Player Assistance Program. He was traded to the Canadiens during the offseason, but a knee injury during a preseason game on September 28 has kept him out of action, with an initial recovery timeline of 2-3 months.
There is potential for Laine to be fit enough to play for Finland early next year, but securing a spot on the team may be competitive. Although he hasn’t played in almost a year, he still has a chance due to the proximity of the tournament’s games to Montreal. Laine, the second overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, has tallied 204 goals and 388 points in 480 regular-season games and has performed well internationally, contributing 12 points in 13 senior-level games.
Lehtinen acknowledged the difficulty of team selection, noting, “While there may not be pressure, we know time is ticking. We’ll have to make our choices soon, which brings some fun pressure, but also tough decisions, given the talent pool.”
While Laine could significantly impact Team Finland at the tournament, his lengthy absence complicates his selection. He will likely not have the opportunity to showcase his skills before decisions are finalized, making the choice more challenging.
It will be fascinating to see if Lehtinen grants Laine another chance to don the national colors in front of familiar supporters in Montreal.
Finland will compete against the United States, Canada, and Sweden in the 4 Nations Face-Off, which runs from February 12-17. The top two teams will move on to the final at TD Garden on February 20.
