NHL Rumor Mill – October 9, 2023
A look at possible destinations for Patrick Kane (yes, again!) in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
MORE DESTINATIONS FOR PATRICK KANE
SPORTSNET: Emily Sadler recently looked at some intriguing destinations for Patrick Kane. The 34-year-old free-agent winger continues to rehab from an offseason hip resurfacing procedure. However, it shouldn’t be long before the rumor mill heats up over potential destinations once he’s ready to return to action.
Sadler listed the Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, Vegas Golden Knights and Florida Panthers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’m doing a brief breakdown of Sadler’s list. Bear in mind that Kane’s agent, Pat Brisson, said this summer that his client would entertain offers from clubs that give him the best opportunity to win the Stanley Cup. If such offers aren’t forthcoming, perhaps he’ll consider other destinations.
Free agent winger Patrick Kane (NHL Images).
The Sabres are Kane’s hometown team, he’s got a personal connection with general manager Kevyn Adams, and they have the cap space to sign him.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres appeared poised to break through as a playoff contender for the first time since 2011. However, I’d hesitate to call them Cup contenders.
Kane playing for his hometown team makes a great story but they’re also loaded with scoring forwards while questions linger about their defense and goaltending. That’s where Adams’ focus could be if those issues threaten to derail their postseason hopes.
The Red Wings also have cap space plus Kane would be reunited with former Blackhawks linemate Alex DeBrincat.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Red Wings could also be poised for playoff contention after tying the franchise record last season of seven straight years without a postseason appearance. I’d consider them less of a Cup contender than the Sabres but I wouldn’t rule them out if they’re interested, especially if Kane doesn’t get better offers elsewhere.
Kane was reportedly interested in re-signing with the Rangers. Perhaps it might be possible once he’s healthy if they can pull it off cap-wise.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kane’s nagging hip injury and the Rangers’ lack of salary-cap space spelled the end of his brief tenure on Broadway. Their current cap constraints probably make pulling off a sequel too complicated for this season.
Sadler believes it would be fun to watch Kane play alongside Jack Hughes this season with the New Jersey Devils.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Yes, it would be fun to watch but they’re already loaded at right wing with Tyler Toffoli and Dawson Mercer. Cap space is also an issue. Never say never, I suppose, but I don’t see this one happening.
The Golden Knights always seem to find a way to land big-name players regardless of their cap space.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Golden Knights are sitting over the cap with Robin Lehner on long-term injury reserve. They can’t even accrue cap space to use at the trade deadline. Adding Kane means shedding salary provided he’s willing to accept a bargain-basement contract for this season.
Sadler considers the Florida Panthers a wild-card option. They were reportedly interested in signing him this summer. He would be joining them around the same time as sidelined defensemen Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour return from their shoulder surgeries.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: As with the Rangers and Golden Knights, the Panthers’ limited cap room probably takes them out of the running unless management can get creative to pull it off.
THE BOSTON GLOBE: Kevin Paul Dupont wondered if a reunion with the Chicago Blackhawks was possible for Kane. He suggested that the idea of the future Hall-of-Famer skating alongside Connor Bedard this season could be too tantalizing for either party to refuse.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Anything’s possible but I doubt we’ll see Kane return to the Blackhawks as a player. They’re a rebuilding club that is moving on with Bedard as its foundation and franchise star.
Some of you might wonder where I think Kane will end up. Honestly, I have no idea.
The few teams that can afford him are in the midst of a rebuild or emerging from one with hopes of ending their long playoff droughts. So many Cup contenders lack sufficient cap space to take him on unless he agrees to a very low-cost contract. Even then, many would have to dump some salary to add him to their payroll.
The determining factor here could be injuries sidelining one or two key players on a Cup contender. If those players end up on long-term injury reserve, it could free up the necessary space to sign Kane. We’ll just have to see how the season unfolds.
8 years and $88M for Dahlin – WOW,
Again, the places no one wants to play (western and most of Canada besides MTL and TML), Arizona, Anaheim and Buffalo have to overpay to keep their stars before they get a chance for free agency. Its that simple.
The bar is Makar, Fox and Mcavoy.
Dahlin is a superstar. But he’s getting paid more than Makar , Fox and Mcavoy?
Yikes!
And some said the Sanderson deal was over-pay.
If I had to guess where Kane goes, I would say Carolina. The fit is perfect since Carolina is a Stanley Cup contender and does need scoring
Lyle
Quick question re CBA and that special “weighted/formulaic” Cap hit for players signing AFTER game 1 of season (like Nylander with his last hold out where his Cap hit was waaay more than $7 M in yr 1)…..
Is that only for RFAs? Or would guys like Kane get that weird calculated (and grossly inflated) Cap hit if he signs say in Nov or Dec?
Or does that clause (in CBA) still exist?
Thanks in advance
Pengy
My guess is that only applied to RFAs. You should try Cap Friendly or PuckPedia for those answers.
Kane and tram he could sign with….
To me…. Reigning SC champs
Right now….Non LTIR…. 22 players; $500 K in space
But….. they have an expensive (Cap wise) redundancy; in Martinez( who can be sent to 23 teams w/o getting his permission)….. Knights have assets to use as sweeteners
Weighing healthy Kane vs Martinez….. Kane for sure IMHO
Martinez already got his SB…. Is UFA 1/7/24; 23/24 Sal…. Just $4.25 M ; Cap hit $5.25 M
Say Kane doesn’t sign until Jan…. Knights move (plus sweeteners) Martinez to middle team ; who retain 50% at TDL and move Martinez for even more asset(s)
The Winnipeg Jets have signed center Mark Scheifele and netminder Connor Hellebuyck to matching seven-year extensions carrying an $8.5MM cap hit, according to a team announcement Monday.
Scheifele, a 40 goal center, signs for $8.5 Million. And WW has a firm $10 M ask to stay in Toronto. Even though WW is 3 years younger, go tell Willie to pound sand and talk with Dubas next summer.
That is a huge for Winnipeg and could even attract a good free agent if the team turns things around.
You have to credit management for getting them both to sign as well as getting a lot for Dubois.
Any time a team like Calgary, Winnipeg, Ottawa or Edmonton before and down the road after McDavid can get their star players locked up long term, it’s great for those cities and for the league in general.
Imagine if one of those cities were playing in an arena that holds 5,000 fans and they couldn’t even sell out like is happening in Arizona, and not even having a future building being built. Bettman would have got rid of those franchises a long time ago.
If Kane really wants to play for a contender then he will take the minimum salary. But if it is still about the millions then he will have fewer options and will most likely end up on a team with less chance of winning the cup. It will be interesting to see which way he jumps…