Montreal Canadiens forward Patrik Laine opens up on the two NHL opponents he hates facing the most
Patrik Laine is getting his first taste of the media in Montreal, and in an interview, he's opened up on the two players he hates facing more than any others.
This off-season was filled with speculation that Patrik Laine would be traded from Columbus, and eventually, he was acquired by the Montreal Canadiens in a deal that pairs him with talented young center and captain Nick Suzuki. He hasn't been in Montreal long, but according to all reports, it appears he's fitting in very well, with the 26-year old revealing he is looking forward to the role of a veteran for this very young team.
However, the most intriguing thing to come out of his first interview was when he was asked which player in the NHL he hates playing the most, with Laine going for an Atlantic Division rival in Tampa Bay's Victor Hedman.
He wasn't done though, as Laine also, unsurprisingly, name dropped Connor McDavid, as most opponents would agree he's the toughest player to face in the entire league.
With a top-six that includes Suzuki, Laine, Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky, the Canadiens have plenty of optimism heading into 2024/25, and if Laine can be the star he was in Winnipeg, this team has a chance at a Stanley Cup Playoffs push. Fortunately for Laine, he'll play just five times against Hedman and McDavid in 2024/25, and with so much young talent around him, the 26-year old has the opportunity to once again establish himself as a top star in the league.
| POLL | ||
Will Patrik Laine and the Columbus Blue Jackets make the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season? | ||
| Yes | 30 | 14.9 % |
| No | 171 | 85.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
