Columbus Blue Jackets star Patrik Laine is expected to play Tuesday night against the Arizona Coyotes after being sidelined with an elbow sprain.
The return is much earlier than previously anticipated: Laine was initially expected to be sidelined three to four weeks while recovering from the injury.
Laine sustained the injury during the Blue Jackets’ season opener Oct. 12 on the road against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 24-year-old Laine was checked into the boards by defenceman Brett Pesce about midway through the second period and did not return.
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Laine had scored the Blue Jackets’ lone goal earlier in the game as they lost 4-1.
The Tampere, Finland, native finished third on the team in scoring last season with 56 points — 26 goals and 30 assists — in 56 games.
Following the signing of coveted free agent Johnny Gaudreau, Laine agreed to a four-year, $34.8-million contract with the Blue Jackets on July 22.
Laine, who was selected second overall by the Winnipeg Jets in 2016, was traded to the Blue Jackets along with Jack Roslovic for Pierre-Luc Dubois and a third-round pick on Jan. 23, 2021.
