This could officially be the end of the road for Patrik Laine

The formerly premier goal scorer is still without a home nearly a month before training camps open, with a litany of injuries and inconsistent play leaving him on the outside looking in as a free agent.

The 28-year-old winger's last season only deepened the uncertainty. A series of injuries held Laine to just five games with the Montreal Canadiens last season.

Even though he returned to skating with the team in January, he was never activated for the rest of the year.

Laine is not without suitors. The Toronto Maple Leafs have been connected to him, along with the New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, Tampa Bay Lightning and Philadelphia Flyers. Still, teams appear cautious.

The Islanders were reportedly connected to Laine earlier in the summer but were unwilling to offer more than a professional tryout contract, a stance one analyst called reasonable given the two major injuries he has faced over the past three years.

Laine is reportedly seeking a prove-yourself type of contract, short-term and loaded with incentives.

That framing says everything about where his career stands. With Patrick Kane now off the market after signing with Chicago, Laine stands as one of the best remaining free agents available.

Laine's market is largely limited to teams needing power play help, and given his defensive shortcomings, he will likely be pushed into a sheltered, bottom six role wherever he lands.

For a player once viewed as a franchise cornerstone, that is a steep fall. If this next contract does not produce results, it may be the last real chance Laine gets in the league he once dominated.

It's the sad reality of the NHL, but such is the life of a professional hockey player. If you don't get results, you don't get rewarded. It's that simple.

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