Montreal Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis made a surprising announcement about Finnish player Patrik Laine, stating that Laine would not be an option to fill in for the injured Josh Anderson, even though Laine has been practicing normally with the team for several months. This decision is peculiar as Laine is not currently injured but is still listed among the team's injured players, leading to confusion around his status on the roster. St. Louis' comments have only deepened the mystery surrounding Laine, who appears to not be in contention for playing time.

According to inside information from Montreal, Laine is aware that Coach St. Louis does not plan to utilize him this season except in emergencies stemming from additional injuries. Reports indicate that Laine's trust from the coaching staff is lacking, which has led General Manager Kent Hughes to clarify this situation directly with Laine and his agent. Laine appears to have accepted this peculiar state of affairs, suggesting that Montreal has strategically managed their relationship with the talented Finnish star during this challenging period.

Overall, Laine's ongoing absence from the lineup raises questions about his future with the Canadiens and the strategies employed by the team management. While the decisions surrounding Laine may be understood as practical under the current circumstances, they also reflect broader concerns regarding team dynamics and player morale within the organization as the season progresses.