Steve Kouleas made a big announcement on Patrik Laine

According to Steve Kouleas of NHL Network, Patrik Laine, who was recently acquired by the Montreal Canadiens, is expected to be out until January 2025.

Kouleas revealed this information during a discussion on SiriusXM NHL, suggesting that Laine could miss most of the first half of the 2024-2025 season, and possibly even the entirety of it.

Kouleas' post on social media mentions that Laine likely won't return before the end of 2024, with a possible comeback in January 2025. While this leaves little hope for the remainder of the season, his extended absence could significantly impact the Canadiens, who were relying on Laine to bolster their offense.

This news is a major blow for the team, which had hoped the Finnish winger would make an immediate impact on their offense, an area that lacked talent last season.

Additional details will certainly be closely monitored in the coming days as the Canadiens assess their next steps and the potential impact on their season.

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