Patrik Laine’s path back to the NHL just suffered another significant setback. The New York Islanders, once viewed as one of the more logical landing spots for the high-powered Finnish winger, now appear unlikely to bring him into training camp.
New York had emerged as a natural fit after Laine’s tenure with the Montreal Canadiens ended. The Islanders were actively searching for more scoring punch on the power play, and Laine’s elite one-timer from the left circle has long been one of the most dangerous weapons in the league when he is healthy and confident. The idea of pairing that shot with Peter DeBoer’s new system carried clear appeal.
That possibility is now fading. According to Stefen Rosner, while the Islanders did speak with Laine’s representatives when free agency opened, a deal is no longer expected. What once looked like a potential professional tryout opportunity never progressed beyond preliminary conversations. As training camp approaches, Laine remains without the NHL contract he is seeking.
The 26-year-old’s situation has grown increasingly complicated. An injury-plagued stretch in Montreal severely limited his availability and raised legitimate questions about durability. Teams understand the upside — Laine’s ability to release the puck with time and space still ranks among the best pure finishing tools in the game — but they must weigh that talent against recent health concerns and the tight roster realities of a new season.
Beyond New York, the list of realistic options has thinned. Calgary and Los Angeles have been linked to Laine at various points this offseason, yet neither connection has produced a contract. With NHL clubs finalizing their plans ahead of camp, roster spots are becoming harder to crack. A professional tryout may ultimately prove the most viable route, offering Laine a chance to demonstrate that his shot, timing, and conditioning can still translate into a meaningful top-six role.
The fit with the Islanders was straightforward on paper. New York needed another threat who could stretch opposing penalty kills and give the power play a different look. Under first-year head coach Peter DeBoer, hired in April, the Islanders appear prepared to move forward without Laine in the mix. That decision removes one of the cleaner matches available and further narrows the Finnish forward’s immediate path back to an NHL lineup.
For Laine, the challenge is no longer about name recognition. Every general manager knows what he can do when healthy. The question is whether a club is willing to create the opportunity on its roster after his recent availability issues. With New York stepping back, that opportunity has grown more elusive. Laine’s comeback hopes are not finished, but the road back has become noticeably tighter — and the next destination, if one materializes, may surprise more than a few observers.