Report: Patrik Laine's Free-Agent Decision Down to 5 Teams

Patrik Laine continues to train in south Florida for the upcoming NHL season, and with training camps kicking off in the very near future, many around the league are surprised he's yet to sign a new contract. From the sounds of it, we won't be waiting much longer.

Bruce Garrioch: Re Patrik Laine: There is reportedly interest from the Maple Leafs, Panthers, Stars and Lightning - Ottawa Citizen (9/1)

According to Senators beat reporter Bruce Garrioch, the Senators are among five teams interested in signing Laine for next season. The list includes the Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Dallas Stars.

There's a wide range of teams interested and if Laine is only concerned about winning, then he's likely heading to Dallas, Toronto, Florida or Tampa Bay, as the Senators aren't expected to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs next season.

The Maple Leafs are an interesting link, as they don't have the cap space at the moment to make a league minimum contract work, however, with Max Domi likely heading to LTIR, there could be open money available, and a roster spot. The Leafs signed a few middle-six forwards throughout the summer, so it seems like a bit of a reach at this point.

The Panthers and Lightning have been scouting Laine to see what kind of shape he's in. He only dressed in a handful of games before having surgery last fall, and even though he was healthy to return in January, the Montreal Canadiens ended up scratching him throughout the end of the year and all of the playoffs. It certainly puts a question mark into this year, just how much a team can expect out of the former top pick.

Laine's appeared in 537 career regular season games, scoring 224 goals, and 422 points, meanwhile has posted just eight goals and 17 points in 26 Stanley Cup Playoff games.