Patrick Laine injured in pre-season game after knee on knee

[FMichael]

Honestly didn’t seem overtly intentional. Probably should have been a 2 minute penalty. A little more alarmed by Xhekaj’s understandable if unhinged response

I have to agree here - it appears to be no intent - nothing really stands out other than he was standing still and Laine collided with him and took the brunt of the hit…Really bad luck.

 

[Beendair Donedat]

Au secours! This is worse than the Pacioretty hit. Arrest Jerkoff!

The beating from Xhekaj is all on Pare.

You can’t injure a star player, and not expect somebody to come calling. He’s 6’4, 215 lbs. Don’t pretend you didn’t see him and then lay down on the ice. Defend yourself.

That being said, I don’t think he hurt Laine intentionally. I think he’s a borderline guy that was focused on the play, trying to make/impress the team, realized he was out of position/beaten and stuck the knee out in a reactionary way. Terrible blow to Laine and the Habs but not a play meant to be malicious. Still a penalty should have been called.

And Xhekaj did the right thing for the Habs. The only issue I have is with Pare trying to lay down and avoid the challenge. That’s gutless. You can tell the other Leafs and officials thought so too, they were in no hurry to get in there and save him.

 

[ItWasJustified]

The only difference was the outcome. What if Pare didn't get up after the assault?

No. Bertuzzi put his weight on Moore's neck. Xhekaj did no such thing. And assult? Give me a fornicating break lol.

Bertuzzi probably never intended to hurt Moore the way he did—but he landed his punch and that led to Moore slamming into the ice.

Bertuzzi put his weight on Moore's neck. Xhekaj was standing up.

 

[ChurchOfMatthews]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1840174320150368275

Hoping for best case scenario. Was looking forward to Matthews/Laine battles this year.

 

[FMichael]

The guy wasn't even moving Laine skated right into him

Gotta agree here…From the replays I’ve seen so far nothing stands out.

 

[Bryanbryoil]

That was an incredibly stupid and dangerous play. He had no play on Laine's hip or body. Garbage play.

 

[ChurchOfMatthews]

Yep. Xhekaj was extremely quiet in the regular season against the Sens too. He's always tough in pre-season when he's playing against kids and rookies, but disappears in the regular season when he's playing against men.

Wut? That's not even all of his fights last year...

 

[KevinRedkey]

are you trying to say Laine isn't a notable NHLer?

Apologies - I meant to say 'being talked about negatively' which was suppose to be a reference to Wifi and the guy who's knee injured Laine. I read what I wrote and I forgot to write the negatively part. I edited my comment to reflect that now.

Laine is most certainly a notable player. Sucks that this happened.

 

[Frankenheimer]

X is a goon. He won’t be running around when Montreal plays Toronto with Reaves on the ice. This is exactly why Toronto went out and got Ryan Reaves, Smart move.

The hit did not look like an intentional hit at all. Hopefully Laine is OK, as he is an elite goal scorer when he is playing his game.

The Sherrif wrecked Reeves last year if Im not mistaken.

 

[FMichael]

Not much choice, he was being boxed in by two Leaf players.

While I don't think it was an intentional knee, it was a poor move (and not just because of the outcome). Dude really wasn't using his brain well on that play at all. A pro player should know better and have better positioning.

It’s hockey…A fast paced sport…A sport which encourages body contact…Sometimes chit happens…If the Maple Leaf were Nylander - would anyone claim there was an intent to injure , or chalk it up to bad luck and get well soon?

 

[Sasha Orlov]

X is a goon. He won’t be running around when Montreal plays Toronto with Reaves on the ice. This is exactly why Toronto went out and got Ryan Reaves, Smart move.

Almost too funny

 

[KCbus]

I just hope this unfortunate incident doesn't jeopardize the good relationship that the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens have with each other.

 

[FMichael]

I just hope this unfortunate incident doesn't jeopardize the good relationship that the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens have with each other.

While I feel it was unintentional - these sorts of events brew hostility… Not gonna lie - some of the most entertaining hockey spawns from incidents like this.

 

[Leaf Fans]

Zero question he lunges

guess it’s hilarious that most of the excuses for Pare is that he’s too shitty of a hockey player to have made a non-douche bag play and that 31 teams would love to have Arber on their team

He doesn't lunge.

Yup, Pare is on an AHL contract while Arber is an NHL player.

 

[kanucks25]

Wasn't a very malicious knee but he definitely moved his leg towards Laine in an attempt to take the body because he thought he was about to get beat to the inside.

 

[ChurchOfMatthews]

The Sherrif wrecked Reeves last year if Im not mistaken.

Sure if you call Reeves tripping and unable to regain his composure while Xhejak lands Zero hits... than ya, "Reeves got wrecked."

 

[Leaf Fans]

The Sherrif wrecked Reeves last year if Im not mistaken.

You are mistaken. He did push him over the net. Xhejak is a tough customer though.

 

[SensFactor]

I cant imagine how that isnt a torn mcl or acl

 

[Enniskillen]

Animal control should put a muzzle on unhinged habs player for bertuzzi like play. This is a pure intent to injure but paros is one of the hab cronies so nothing will happen.

 

[Ryan O'Byrne]

I also didn’t like that he was (smirking )when saying I didn’t mean to injure him. I hope he’s ok (smirk) then didn’t think getting beat up was as funny

 

[Isaac Nootin]

I hope Jackeye avoids suspension and we can to see him first game of the season. Suspend him after that game if they wish.

The way he's played pre season, Xhekaj is lucky to make the Habs lineup TBH.

 

[2CHAINZ]

Hoping for best case scenario. Was looking forward to Matthews/Laine battles this year.

What battle? Matthews is on another level.

 

[ChurchOfMatthews]

What battle? Matthews is on another level.

It would've made the games more entertaining. You know Laine wants to better the guy he claimed he was better than.

 

[Bluenotes27]

Pares Instagram is getting lit up and it’s not a good look

 

[paul9kariya]

The Sherrif wrecked Reeves last year if Im not mistaken.

Delusional to think Xhekaj did anything but grab Reaves' sweater and walk him into the net so they'd fall.