LAINE AND SLAFKOVSKY SUSPENDED AFTER HEATED PRACTICE BRAWL—CANADIENS TAKE DISCIPLINARY ACTION
Montreal, QC – The Montreal Canadiens have suspended forwards Patrick Laine and Juraj Slafkovský following a heated altercation during practice that escalated into a full-blown brawl.
According to multiple sources, tensions between the two had been building for some time, and frustrations finally boiled over during a high-intensity drill. Witnesses say a routine battle for the puck quickly turned into a physical confrontation, with punches thrown before teammates and coaches intervened.
The Canadiens organization acted swiftly, issuing an immediate suspension to both players for conduct detrimental to the team. Head coach Martin St. Louis addressed the incident in a post-practice media scrum.
“We hold our players to a high standard, and what happened today was unacceptable,” St. Louis stated. “Emotions run high in this sport, but professionalism and respect for teammates come first. We will handle this internally and move forward.”
Neither Laine nor Slafkovský has publicly commented on the incident. However, sources within the team suggest that lingering tension may have played a role in the clash, possibly stemming from on-ice chemistry issues and competitive rivalries.
The suspension length remains unclear, but both players are expected to miss upcoming games as the Canadiens look to restore unity in the locker room.
