Canadiens fans are patiently awaiting an update on the condition of Patrik Laine, but a recent sighting is causing some concern.

Patrik Laine left the preseason game between the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs with an apparent leg injury Saturday. The Canadiens announced he would not return. The forward was injured in a knee-on-knee collision with Toronto forward Cedric Pare at 3:49 of the first period at Bell Centre in Montreal.

To say that Laine's start with the Canadiens has been scary would be an understatement. The veteran winger was spotted on crutches at Habs morning practice on Monday, two days after sustaining a brutal knee injury against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Patrik Laine arrived in a hockey-mad market eager for a fresh start. That made the Finnish sharpshooter's worrying pre-season exit even harder to swallow for Montreal Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis.

Patrik Laine was looking forward to a fresh start with the Montreal Canadiens, but he may have to wait some time to kick off his 2024-25 season. In a preseason matchup with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Laine was helped off the ice after a knee-on-knee collision with Cedric Pare.

As we await news on Patrik Laine, which could come later Monday, or perhaps even as late as Tuesday, we know one thing for sure: It’s going to be a while before we see him in a Montreal Canadiens uniform again.