In today’s NHL rumour rundown, we look at Patrik Laine and how his career almost came to an end before a strong bounce-back into the league. Elsewhere, Nazem Kadri of the Calgary Flames spoke about not being invited to Team Canada’s invitees list for the 2026 Milan Olympics. Finally, after being selected in the top five of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, Utah Mammoth prospect Caleb Desnoyers is set to miss some time after wrist surgery.
Laine Almost Hung Up Skates in Columbus
In an interview with Helsingin Sanomat, Laine spoke about his offseason, including his wedding in Florida, his visit to Finland, and how his NHL career was in jeopardy at one point.
When it comes to training in the offseason, players often take a few weeks of vacation, and then, as the middle of August hits, it is time to get back to training and working out. That is the case for Laine this offseason, but he had just a short stint of time in his home country, Finland. He says that after having a few things to recover from in each of the past few offseasons, he is finally healthy for a summer and can give it his all.
In January of 2024, Laine took a leave of absence and entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, and shared the following statement:
Dear fans and supporters,
I wanted to take a moment to address my need to step away from the game for a while. After careful consideration and discussions with my support network and the team, I have recognized the importance of prioritizing my mental health and well-being. Hockey has been my passion and my life, but I have come to realize that in order to perform at my best, I need to take this time to focus on myself.I am grateful for the understanding and support of my team, the league, and our fans during this time. I look forward to returning to the ice with a clear minc and renewed energy. Thank you for respecting my privacy during this time and for your continued support.
With love, Patty
Patrik Laine via Instagram regarding his leave of absence in Jan. 2024
In the recent interview with Helsingin Sanomat, Laine told the site, “I told the GM and agents a few times that I was quitting, I just couldn’t do it anymore…It’s good that it’s gotten to this point. Now I’m enjoying life and hockey again after a long time. It’s nice to be able to push myself. A lot of work has been…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at The Hockey Writers…