At a press conference yesterday, Montreal Canadiens head coach Martin St-Louis addressed recent comments made by forward Patrik Laine regarding his ice time.
The situation began earlier in the Four Nations Tournament when Laine expressed frustration about his limited playing time in recent weeks, stating that it would be nice to get “more than 10 or 11 minutes a night.” While he later acknowledged that he had made mistakes as well, his initial remark had already sparked discussion.
When asked about Laine’s comments, St-Louis chose to respond directly, making his stance clear.
Patrik Laine Takes a Subtle Jab at St-Louis and the Canadiens Over His Ice Time https://t.co/bNdV6RFSMK #GoHabsGo #Canadiens
— Habs Fanatics (@habsfanaticss) February 11, 2025
“If you play 11 minutes, prove to me that you can play more,” St-Louis said. “My job is to push Patty.”
The Canadiens’ coach also emphasized that there will be a significant shift in mentality during the second half of the season, with players needing to earn their ice time through performance.
It remains to be seen whether Laine and St-Louis will have a private conversation regarding the matter. However, Laine performed well during the Four Nations Showdown, finishing with three points in three games. So far this season, he has recorded 18 points in 28 games with Montreal.
Les Amateurs de sports I L’entraîneur des @CanadiensMTL Martin St-Louis répond à Patrik Laine qui s’est plaint de son temps de jeu à Montréal.https://t.co/EbD5YkJTbx
— 98,5 Sports (@985Sports) February 19, 2025
As the Canadiens push forward, Laine will have an opportunity to prove himself and potentially secure a more prominent role on the team.