Patrik Laine, Now 27 years old, addresses a new stage of his career and his life with a renewed look. After several years marked by injuries and difficulties linked to his mental health, the NHL striker finally confides in finding the peace and stability that was missing.
Married last June to his American spouse, Jordan, he spent much of the summer in Montreal, where he trained intensively in the Canadian’s facilities. Unlike the previous seasons, he was able to prepare without major physical seeds, which allows him to arrive in an optimal form for the next training camp.
In an interview with Helsingin Sanomat, a Finnish media, Laine recognizes that the last years have been extremely difficult. He admits that before the last season, he had sometimes accumulated only three weeks of full training before resuming the competition. This summer, he got back to work in May, chaining ice sessions almost daily since July. This rigor gives him confidence and makes him say that he is better prepared than ever for an NHL season.
On the ice, despite the difficult beginnings last year with Montreal, he still scored 20 goals and 13 assists in 52 games. He recognizes that his production with equal forces remains insufficient, but he believes that his summer preparation will allow him to raise his level. More physically and mentally confident, he wishes to become this dreaded scorer again, especially five against five.
Its contractual situation also draws attention. At the dawn of his 10th season in the league, Laine finds himself in an unprecedented position: he will become an autonomous player without compensation (UFA) in the summer of 2026.
Transaction rumors, according to him, do not change anything, there have always been. But he positively welcomes the prospect of being able to choose his next destination himself, a novelty in his career after playing for Winnipeg, Columbus and now Montreal.
He admits that reflection will be done taking into account his personal life and his relationship with his wife, which illustrates a new maturity.
Wool speaks openly about his fight against mental health problems. He admits to having thought of abandoning hockey several times, entrusting to his agents and managers that he could no longer continue.
Today, he claims to have regained the taste of the game, but especially of life. With his wife, he launched the project From Us to Youintended to raise awareness and support people with psychological difficulties. The messages received daily confirm the importance of this work. The funds raised during its recent charity golf tournament in Finland will also be given to an organization that helps mental health for children and adolescents.
In the end, Patrik Laine describes himself as more peaceful and more North American in his lifestyle. Although he still likes to return to Finland, he admits having been used to life on the other side of the Atlantic. For him, hockey remains essential, but it no longer makes an obsession.