An off-season addition may finally be nearing his Montreal Canadiens debut.
Forward Patrik Laine, who was injured in a pre-season game on Sept. 28, will join the team on its upcoming road trip to Columbus, New York and Boston, head coach Martin St. Louis said Tuesday.
It sets up Laine, who was dealt from the Blue Jackets in the off-season, to potentially open his season against his former team.
The Canadiens acquired Laine and a second-round draft pick from Columbus in exchange for defenceman Jordan Harris in August.
But Laine's Habs tenure was barely underway when he collided with Maple Leafs defenceman Cedric Pare. The Canadiens announced on Oct. 1 that he would be sidelined for two to three months. He resumed skating on his own on Nov. 6.
The 26-year-old Finn hasn’t played in the NHL since Dec. 14 with the Blue Jackets. He was sidelined with a fractured clavicle and later entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program to focus on his mental health.
In 480 career games, the former second-overall pick of the Winnipeg Jets has 204 goals and 184 assists.
The Canadiens fell 3-2 in overtime against Utah on Tuesday.
--with files from The Canadian Press
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