Canadiens' Laine says he's been skating following off-season shoulder procedure

The newest member of the Montreal Canadiens is feeling ready both mentally and physically for the upcoming season.

Patrik Laine, who the Canadiens acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday, has been dealing with a shoulder injury he suffered in the 2023-24 season.

Laine broke his clavicle on Dec. 14, then had an undisclosed setback delaying his recovery from the injury on Jan. 27.

But during his first media availability since the trade, Laine told reporters that he's been cleared to skate after having an operation and his shot is feeling as powerful as ever.

"Had a little operation on it earlier, but it feels great," Laine said. "Just actually got cleared to skate, and been skating now and no issues still. Still absolutely ripping the puck, so no issues there. Overall, body feels good... No concerns with the body whatsoever, and with the mind, feel like I'm in a really good place as a whole package."

Laine, a three-time 30-goal scorer, was limited to just 18 games last season.

Along with the shoulder injury, the Finnish forward also entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program on Jan. 28.

Laine was cleared from the program on July 26.

The 26-year-old reportedly requested a trade earlier this year from Columbus.

On Monday, he declined to get into specifics of why he wanted to leave the Blue Jackets, but said he was very excited about a "fresh start" in Montreal and that he's "always liked the spotlight."

He also said he's learned a lot about himself over the past year and feels like he's in a much better spot to deal with the ups and downs that come with being a professional athlete.

"I feel like the handling and navigating of tough times is kind of what I've learned mostly about himself," Laine said Monday. "I feel like I'm in a really, really good place."

On Monday, Laine was very transparent and said he hadn't been enjoying himself off the ice, and he felt like that was hurting his on-ice performance. But now that he's done the work to address his mental health, he said he's ready to remind everyone just how good of a player he can be.

"I'm happier than ever off the ice, obviously, and done a lot of work on myself to get me back to this point where I'm actually super excited about playing," Laine said. "... I've learned a lot of things over these last couple years and it's a really good time to put them to the test. But I'm absolutely readier than ever."

Laine joins an emerging core of star forwards in Montreal. That group includes captain Nick Suzuki, 2022 first-overall pick Juraj Slafkovsky and scoring-winger Cole Caufield. It also includes centre Kirby Dach, who missed almost the entire season with knee surgery, and Ivan Demidov, the club's first-round pick this year who could push for a spot in the NHL in a year or two.