Columbus Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine has been cleared by doctors to return from the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Friday.
Laine, who is still recovering from a shoulder injury suffered during the 2023-24 season, entered the program on Jan. 28.
“After careful consideration and discussion with my support network and the team, I have recognized the importance of prioritizing my mental health and well-being,” Laine said on social media at the time. “Hockey has been my passion and my life, but I have come to realize that in order to perform at my best, I need to take this time to focus on myself.”
Laine suffered a tumultuous season before entering the program, limited to just six goals and three assists in 18 games before breaking his clavicle in mid-December.
Despite being cleared to return to the Blue Jackets, his status in Columbus is still very much to be determined after reportedly requesting a change of scenery. The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline reports that teams who are interested in acquiring Laine wanted to be able to speak with the player before engaging in trade talks, which was not possible while he was receiving assistance.
New Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell declined to comment on the matter, Portzline further reported.
Laine, 25, was selected second overall by the Winnipeg Jets at the 2016 NHL Draft but was traded to Columbus in 2021 as part of the deal that sent Pierre-Luc Dubois to Winnipeg. In 480 career regular season games, Laine has recorded 204 goals and 184 assists for 388 points.
The NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA) player assistance program has cleared Columbus Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine to return to play after he entered the program for undisclosed reasons earlier this month. The program is designed to provide support and resources to players who may be dealing with personal or mental health issues.
Laine, who was acquired by the Blue Jackets in a trade with the Winnipeg Jets earlier this year, has been out of the lineup since entering the program. The 23-year-old Finnish forward is known for his scoring ability and was expected to be a key player for the Blue Jackets this season.
The NHLPA player assistance program is a confidential resource available to all NHL players and their families. It offers a range of services, including counseling, substance abuse treatment, and mental health support. The program is designed to help players address any issues they may be facing and get the help they need to overcome them.
Laine’s return to play is a positive development for both him and the Blue Jackets. It shows that he has received the support he needed and is ready to resume his career on the ice. The team will no doubt be happy to have him back in the lineup, as he has the potential to be a difference-maker for them.
It’s important to remember that professional athletes are not immune to the same challenges and struggles that affect everyone else. The NHLPA player assistance program is an important resource that helps players navigate these issues and get back to doing what they love – playing hockey.
As Laine returns to the ice, fans will be watching to see how he performs and how he continues to adjust to his new team. Hopefully, his time in the player assistance program has helped him address any issues he may have been facing and he can now focus on playing the game he loves.