Laine has setback in recovery, sent back to Columbus by Blue Jackets
Forward, who sustained broken clavicle on Dec. 14, out at least 3 more games
www.nhl.comHere’s the latest I can share based on the most recent public updates I found:
- Multiple outlets in late 2025 reported that Patrik Laine underwent core muscle surgery and was projected to be out for three to four months, with recovery pushing his return into the latter part of the 2025–26 season. This aligns with the Canadiens’ announced timeline for a mid-to-late winter return, depending on recovery progress. [cite ][cite ]
- Some reports noted uncertainty about his future role with Montreal beyond that season, given the long injury layoff and roster considerations, though teams and fans emphasized supporting his health first. [cite ][cite ]
- Earlier updates during the 2024–25 period indicated Laine had setbacks in recovery from a clavicle injury, leading to extended absences, but those specifics differ from the later core-muscle surgery timeline. [cite ][cite ]
If you’d like, I can assemble a concise, date-stamped timeline of the reported injury events and their verifiable details, or pull the latest official team statements for you. I can also monitor updates and provide a fresh briefing with citations as new information becomes available.