PK Subban Calls for More Respect for Patrik Laine After Controversial Treatment Against the Leafs

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Graham Montgomery
September 29, 2024 (5:38 PM)

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Former NHL defenseman turned ESPN analyst PK Subban joined the conversation around Patrik Laine today, sharing his thoughts on the play that could have ended his season.

Last night was brutal for fans of the Montreal Canadiens. Patrik Laine suffered what looked like a serious injury after a knee-on-knee hit from Leafs forward Cedric Pare. At this point, the team has not updated us on Laine's condition, but it certainly did not look good. They may very well be waiting for a second opinion before announcing the injury if it is indeed as serious as we fear.

Today, PK Subban shared his thoughts on the situation, calling out Pare for making the dirty hit, especially considering the fact that this was a pre-season game.

"What the h*** was that last night? On the penalty kill stepping up trying to make a hit, you stick your knee out on a superstar? Irresponsible, I don't like it. This wasn't a battle in the corner, this is open ice, penalty kill, pre-season folks. Patrik Laine deserves a lot more respect than the way he was treated last night and that never should have happened."

Subban also made one comment in his video that really resonated with many fans. He noted how he pays to watch players like Laine take the ice, not players like Cédric Paré. Pare, 25, has never played a regular-season game in the NHL and has been a career AHL player for the Toronto Marlies. Laine of course, is a former 2nd overall pick and a bona fide star in the league.

Later in the game, Pare became the target for Canadiens players looking to avenge Laine. Many players on the team likely would have loved a chance to show Pare how they felt about the play given how disrespectful it was, as Subban pointed out. This resulted in Arber Xhekaj beating up Pare as the Leafs forward refused to fight back. The play resulted in 27 penalty minutes for the Habs enforcer, as he was ejected from the game. Today things got even worse for him as he was fined over 3 thousand dollars for the infraction.

Pare was likely just doing what he was told, as it came out after the game that Craig Berube encouraged his players to by more physical. That being said, there is a line. Some hits are permissible while others are not. The hit Pare made last night was not okay. Hopefully Laine will make a full recovery and will return to the ice sooner than we might be expecting.