Canadiens: Injured Sniper Laine Ramps Up On Ice Training

Montreal Canadiens left winger Patrik Laine has been sidelined since September 28. As you'll recall, after suffering a knee sprain the big Finn elected not to have surgery and was told he would be out for two to three months.

Judging by the images we've seen out of Brossard since November 9, his recovery is going according to plan. Yesterday, RDS captured images of the sniper on the ice and the intensity of his training has been turned up a few notches.

There were twists and turns on tap, stopping and going, deking around Adam Nicholas (who was just standing there but still) and taking shots. Of course, there is still no timetable for his return but he does seem to have come a long way already since he got back on the ice just taking a few strides 10 days ago.

Could he be on track to return after just two months? It's a possibility. After all, the most optimist part of the prognosis had him out for eight weeks. I still hope the Canadiens will err on the side of caution however and not rush his return.

Whenever he is ready to return, it will be interesting to see how Martin St-Louis will chose to insert him in his lineup. The initial plan had him on the second line with Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook, but as things stand, Dach is not even playing center.

The 23-year-old forward is struggling to find his form after coming back from a serious knee injury which made him miss all but four periods of hockey last season. Dach is currently playing wing on the first line with Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkovsky, but it hasn't exactly been a dominant unit so far.

Related: Canadiens: A Real Team Effort

As for the second line formed of Alex Newhook, Jake Evans and Cole Caufield, it has produced its fair share of opportunities, but if Laine was to be put there, it would mean Newhook being moved to center. The 23-year-old Newfoundlander hasn't been used much as a pivot so far this season.

St-Louis still has time to figure out the logistics, but whichever way he decides to go, he won't complain to have such a talented player back in his lineup.

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