There is a rather strange story unfolding with the Montreal Canadiens right now, and it involves forward Patrik Laine.

The possible real reason for Patrik Laine's absence has just been revealed

As you know, Laine has missed the last five days due to what the organization claims are “flu-like symptoms,” but according to RDS journalist Luc Gélinas, there’s more to the story.

We mentioned his comments earlier (from his post), but now the journalist has provided more details live on television, on the show RDS, 5 a 7.

No one believes that Patrik Laine has the flu

Here is an excerpt of what Gélinas said on RDS:

“I think his flu looks a lot like Evgeny Dadonov‘s two years ago in St. Louis, when he didn’t play for a week and a half but was still around his teammates [everywhere].”

“No one here believes that [Patrik Laine] has the flu..”

– Luc Gélinas

You have to read between the lines a bit, but let’s just say that his tone and body language speak volumes.

We highly recommend his full segment on RDS.

This is truly a fascinating situation.

“But does he really have the flu? Because listening to Luc Gélinas, who spoke about the player yesterday on 5 à 7, it’s very likely that all of this is just a smokescreen hidden behind the excuse of flu symptoms.”

– Charles-Alexis Brisebois, DLC

Has Martin St-Louis really reached the point where he prefers having Michael Pezzetta in the lineup over Patrik Laine?

Emotional scene in Montreal as Patrik Laine is introduced to the crowd - HockeyFeed

Is this decision coming from Martin St-Louis?

 

We should have answers in the coming hours, but this is a story that’s generating a lot of buzz in the Montreal Canadiens’ circle right now.

Hopefully Laine doesn’t miss another 10 days this time around because of a “flu”..