Facing the end: NHL veteran Tyler Johnson nears forced retirement as his options dwindle

As the countdown to the new NHL season ticks away, Tyler Johnson, once a key player for the Chicago Blackhawks, finds himself in a precarious position without a team.

Johnson's situation reflects the harsh realities of professional sports where, despite past successes, future opportunities can dwindle rapidly.

His departure marks the end of a three-year stint with the team, during which he failed to complete a full season, never hitting the 82-game mark.

Last season's performance might hint at why Johnson's phone isn't ringing off the hook. Appearing in 67 games, he notched 17 goals and 14 assists.

However, a stark -35 rating overshadowed these numbers, signaling a troubling defensive liability.

Johnson's career has been marred by injuries, with the forward only managing to complete a full season once since the 2013-2014 campaign.

With a former salary cap hit of $5 million, Johnson's options are further complicated by most teams having already allocated their budgets, squeezing him out of potential slots.

This financial reality puts him in a tight spot, with few teams willing to gamble on a player with a recent history of underperformance and injuries.

Johnson might resort to a try-out agreement in September, a last-ditch effort to demonstrate his capability and secure a contract. However, the possibility of a long-term deal seems bleak.

With retirement potentially on the horizon, Johnson's next steps are critical in what could be the twilight of his professional journey.