Report: Worlds standout player's NHL future now out of reach...

Everything seemed to be going for forward Stephane Da Costa. The 28-year-old was once a scrappy guy that couldn't crack the Ottawa Senators roster, but had three good years on the Binghamton Senators in the AHL, where he spent the last two of his season second to Mark Stone and then Mike Hoffman in points. 

He came back on NHL teams' radar this summer, when he recorded six goals in six games at the World Championship in Paris. The Sens's rights to Da Costa expires on July 1, and everyone expected him to make a NHL comeback attempt with a new club. 

However, Da Costa's future with the NHL is now out of reach. Although the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vegas Golden Knights and Montreal Canadiens were interested in hiring him, the forward has suffered from an important health issue that happened in August, while he was training for the upcoming season. 

Da Costa is recovering in France, according to L'Equipe, and won't be available for several months. 

"For now, hockey is left to the side, I just want to be healthy again," Da Costa commented. 

Once he gets the green light to return to the ice, Da Costa will most likely land in Europe or in the Kontinental Hockey League.