Finnish winger Patrik Laine is facing a challenging situation with the NHL team Montreal Canadiens. Despite being involved in the team's practice sessions for several weeks and appearing to be in playing condition, Laine has not been activated to join the lineup and remains on the injured list. The uncertainty around when he will return to the ice adds to the complexity of his situation with the team.

The question of Laine's readiness arose again when teammate Josh Anderson was reported to miss an upcoming game against the Detroit Red Wings. This could have opened a potential spot for Laine, but head coach Martin St. Louis made it clear that Laine would not be considered for this opportunity. According to reports, St. Louis stated, "Laine is not an option," suggesting ongoing concerns about his fitness or performance.

At 27 years old, Laine is under pressure as he misses out on game time, and it seems more likely that Joe Veleno will take Anderson's place instead. This prolonged absence from the lineup could have significant implications not only for Laine's career but also for the Canadiens as they navigate injuries and performance issues heading into critical matchups in the season.