Canadiens' Patrik Laine's Struggles Linked To Father's Death

A few days after disgruntled forward Patrik Laine found a new place to restart his hockey career in Montreal with the Canadiens, RDS journalist Luc Gelinas shed light on the personal struggles of the forward, forcing him to miss the second half of the 2023-24 season.

According to Gelinas, Laine's mental health issues might be related to the sudden death of his father in 2021, a dramatic event that could have turned into a significant factor behind the player's issues on and off the ice.

Gelinas discussed this on BPM Sports' On Club du Matin show , released on Monday, August 26. Gelinas linked Laine's issues to the tragic loss that occurred while the player was with the Columbus Blue Jackets and before his trade to the Habs.

Laine’s father passed away unexpectedly at the age of 54 in November 2021 , as reported by NHL insider Aaron Portzline.

The event, according to Gelinas, left the young forward devastated. The reporter emphasized that Laine and his father were extremely close, spending considerable time together both in North America and Finland.

Gelinas pointed out that following his father's passing, Laine's career trajectory took a downturn. Laine never completed a full 82-game season after that and eventually entered the NHL’s Player Assistance Program to address his mental health issues last winter.

The reporter also noted that while some attributed Laine's struggles to a rumored video game addiction , the more significant factor likely stemmed from the emotional toll of his father’s death.

Speaking to reporters on August 20 following his trade to Montreal, however, Laine sounded optimistic about his future stating that he feels mentally strong and ready to embark on the next chapter of his career.

Related: Canadiens' Patrik Laine Breaks Silence Following Trade