Canadiens' Laine out 3-4 months with core muscle injury

Montreal Canadiens winger Patrik Laine underwent surgery to repair a core muscle injury and will miss three-to-four months, the team announced Saturday.

Laine suited up in only five games this season before suffering the ailment. The club initially considered him day-to-day. The 27-year-old has managed one assist while averaging 12:36 per contest.

Injuries have played a major role in Laine's career in recent years. He played in only 181 out of a possible 328 games over the last four seasons.

Laine tallied 20 goals and 13 assists in 52 games during his first season with the Canadiens in 2024-25.

The No. 2 pick in 2016 by the Winnipeg Jets, Laine took the NHL by storm with 138 goals in his first four seasons. However, he's scored just 86 in the six campaigns since.

Laine is in the final year of his contract with an $8.7-million cap hit. He'll be an unrestricted free agent at season's end.