St-Louis Publicly Responds to Patrik Laine With Clear Message Ahead of Canadiens' Season Opener
Photo credit: Screenshot
Patrik Laine's training camp certainly didn't go as he had hoped. Despite all the effort he put in over the summer - and despite starting camp on the Montreal Canadiens' second line - he lost that spot.
He'll begin the 2025-26 season on Martin St-Louis' fourth line, and it even feels like he's close to being a healthy scratch.
Following that demotion, during his most recent media availability, Laine mentioned that he needs to keep working to become a more complete player.
Clearly, Martin St-Louis agrees.
Martin St-Louis responds and sends a clear message to Patrik Laine: the Finnish forward must be more effective at 5-on-5
The topic has come up in St-Louis' last two press conferences, and in both cases, he delivered essentially the same message.
Martin St.Louis on Patrik Laine:
"I know he has a good shot and is efficient on the power play but we have to continue seeing the details in his game during five-on-five"
"I know he has a good shot and is efficient on the power play but we have to continue seeing the details in his game during five-on-five"
In other words.. Laine needs to bring more at even strength - plain and simple.
Once again today, St-Louis delivered a similar message about Laine:
Martin St-Louis, essentially on Patrik Laine:
"You might play six minutes on the power play in a game. But what are you doing the rest of the time? That's what we're mainly looking at."
- Via TVA Sports journalist Anthony Martineau
"You might play six minutes on the power play in a game. But what are you doing the rest of the time? That's what we're mainly looking at."
- Via TVA Sports journalist Anthony Martineau
St-Louis did note, however, that Laine seemed to show more effort at 5-on-5 during the most recent preseason games.
Now, it has to happen consistently.
It's also worth remembering that Laine was separated from young Ivan Demidov at even strength and will start the season alongside Josh Anderson and Jake Evans on the Canadiens' fourth line.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 6 | 748 ANSWERS St-Louis Publicly Responds to Patrik Laine With Clear Message Ahead of Canadiens' Season Opener Where would you place Patrik Laine if it were your decision? | ||
| First line with Suzuki | 37 | 4.9 % |
| Second line with Dach | 187 | 25 % |
| Third or fourth line | 381 | 50.9 % |
| In the stands | 143 | 19.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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