Columbus Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine will enter the NHL/NHLPA Player assistance program. Laine will receive care for an undisclosed issue. News of the Finnish forward entering the program broke on Sunday afternoon.
Patrik Laine Goes Into Player Assistance Program
Laine will be out for an indefinite period of time while he deals with the issue. He will be able to return to Columbus when program administrators clear him.
“Patrik has our complete support, and our sole concern is his well-being,” Blue Jackets general manager and alternate governor Jarmo Kekalainen said in a statement. “Out of respect for Patrik, we will have no further comment.”
The 25-year-old was recovering a broken collarbone that he suffered against the Toronto Maple Leafs on December 14. Laine has only played in 18 games and registered six goals and nine points. He had a Corsi for of 53.5 and a relative Corsi of 11.0.
Laine has played in in 479 career NHL games to date, posting 203 goals and 387 points. The Winnipeg Jets selected the Finn with the second overall pick of the 2016 NHL Draft. He’s played for the Jets and the Blue Jackets in his eight-year NHL career.
What It Means
This season has been a rough one for Laine with injuries and an illness. The high-flying forward missed time earlier in the campaign due to a concussion. He was actually scratched in the middle of November for the first time in his career.
Kekalainen said there’s no updated timeline on when Laine could return. However, his health and well-being are the most important thing at the moment.
Laine was with the team on their recent road trip through Western Canada. He had an eye on hopefully returning, but he suffered a setback and went back to Ohio. Laine’s setback was discovered during the recent road swing.
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