Top prospect Patrik Laine has injured his left knee at the 2016 NHL scouting combine taking place in Buffalo, New York.
Laine was unable to complete his VO2 max bike test due to discomfort from the injury and was limited to upper-body testing during the second day of the combine.
“I couldn’t finish [the tests] because I had some problem with my leg, but I think it went pretty normal otherwise,” Laine told NHL.com’s Mike Morreale. “I’m OK. I didn’t finish the test because I just don’t want to get hurt; I have an important summer and I don’t want to miss that.”
Laine, projected to go No. 2 overall behind Auston Matthews, has been making a push on and off the ice to become the number one overall draft pick. “I have the best ability to become the best player in the NHL someday,” he told Sportsnet’s Matt Brown at the combine.
That came a day after he told Gary Lawless that he should be picked first overall. He’s certainly confident, but he’s backed it up this year with phenomenal performances in the Finnish Liiga, where he was named the postseason MVP; the World Junior Championship; and the World Championship, where he was named the best player in the tournament.
