Canadian team explored signing Patrik Laine before suddenly backing away for surprising reason

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen reported that Steve Staios and the Senators looked into the idea of adding Laine as a free agent this offseason, but the front office ultimately moved away from it.

The move keeps Ottawa's interest limited to internal talk only, even though a short term, bonus heavy contract would have carried little financial risk for the club.

Laine turned 28 in April and hit unrestricted free agency this summer after his four year deal with Montreal expired.

He's racked up 224 goals and 422 points across 537 NHL games, once scoring 44 in a single season with Winnipeg, but has battled injuries and inconsistency lately, including a five game stint with the Canadiens last season.

He remains known primarily as a power play weapon, a skill set that doesn't always translate into a full time roster spot.

Ottawa brought in Andre Burakovsky from Chicago this offseason and is banking on him rediscovering his scoring touch in a bigger role.

With Claude Giroux, Fabian Zetterlund, Drake Batherson and Dylan Cozens already part of the mix up front, the Senators feel they already have enough offensive pieces without adding Laine to the equation.

Toronto, Florida, Dallas and Tampa Bay have all been connected to Laine at some point this offseason, though nothing has come together yet.

The Islanders also looked into a tryout deal earlier in the summer before backing off.

With training camps opening in the coming weeks, time is starting to run short for Laine to land a new home before the season begins.

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