The 2023-24 NHL season is already underway, and winger Patrick Kane remains a free agent. His extended free agency is due to the hip surgery he underwent in the offseason. Kane continues to rehab from his injury while he weighs his options for what team to sign with.
Rumors floated around all summer and continue to swirl now that the season has started. Kane won't be signing quite yet, but there are several teams that could be a good fit for him. He prefers to join a Stanley Cup contender, but will that be possible given the salary cap crunch? A team that's in on Kane might need to do some maneuvering to fit him under the cap.
Kane spent most of his career with the Chicago Blackhawks, who drafted him first overall in 2007. He was traded to the New York Rangers during the 2022-23 season when Chicago decided to go all in on a rebuild. Kane still has gas left in the tank, and he's eager to prove he's still a star following his surgery. As teams decide whether they're in on Kane and he considers which team to join for the 2023-24 season, let's take a look at some of the possible landing spots for the three-time Stanley Cup champion.
3. Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres would be an interesting destination for Kane. At first glance, the Sabres don't really seem like the best fit for him. They don't meet his preferred criteria of being likely Stanley Cup contenders. They failed to make the playoffs last season. In fact, they haven't made the playoffs since 2011, which is the longest playoff drought in the NHL. Considering some teams in the Eastern Conference got even stronger in the offseason, it'll be a tough fight for them to make the playoffs this season.
However, there's something to be said for a homecoming, and the Buffalo Sabres are Kane's hometown team. He returned to his home state last season when he played for the Rangers, but playing for the Sabres would put him right at home. Insider Darren Dreger reported last month that Buffalo has interest. Insider Frank Seravalli agrees that the Sabres could be a fit. "Could you imagine Kane as one of those guys who could end this crazy long Sabres drought?" Seravalli wondered earlier this week.
Kane once thought he'd retire as a Blackhawk, but after a long tenure in Chicago, it just didn't work out that way. Now in his mid-30s, perhaps retiring as a member of his hometown team would be fitting. The Sabres currently have around $9 million in cap space, which is more than enough to get a deal done. The Sabres are a team to watch as Kane gets closer to a free-agent signing decision.
2. Colorado Avalanche
Another possible landing spot for Kane is the Colorado Avalanche. Insider Kevin Weekes believes the Avalanche are one of the best fits. Kane is interested in landing with a contender, and the Avalanche certainly fit that criteria. They topped the Central Division last season and are poised to be at or near the top again. They were eliminated in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs in 2022 but won the Cup in 2021. They've made the playoffs every year since 2018.
A question regarding this potential landing spot is where Kane would fit in with the lineup since the top six is solid. The Avalanche also bolstered their third line when they picked up winger Tomas Tatar late in the offseason. Tatar joined former New Jersey Devils teammate Miles Wood who signed with Colorado earlier in the offseason. Injuries happen, so there's always a chance a spot can open. Plus, even though the Avalanche have started off the season 3-0-0, their third and fourth lines have not been producing in the first few games. It's early, but if these lines don't pan out, some shuffling around could make room for Kane.
The Avalanche have $2 million in cap space right now. That's enough to make Kane an offer, although a team like the Sabres could offer more. Kane and his agent, Pat Brisson, will consider all the angles. Ultimately, if Kane wants to play for a true contender, he may have to take less money than he'd get elsewhere.
1. New York Rangers
Kane was traded to the New York Rangers ahead of last season's trade deadline. Following a brief stint that included a first-round playoff exit, it feels like there could be some unfinished business in New York City. Frank Seravalli noted, "You saw what they had to give up last year to get him; they knew at the time he wasn't fully healthy." Kane was not at his best during his short time with the Rangers since he needed that hip surgery. Now that he's had it, the Rangers could get more value out of him this year if they reunite.
The salary cap could keep Kane from returning to Broadway. The Rangers have around $700,000 in cap space. They could acquire more space by sending a player down, but they'd have to determine who to send down. Even still, they would not be able to offer him as much money as a team like Buffalo. Would Kane take a discount to play for a contender, especially the team he's most recently played for? Coming off an injury, he knows he's looking at a one-year 'prove it' deal regardless.
What the Rangers have over the Avalanche is that Kane is already familiar with the team. What the Rangers have over the Sabres is that they're far more likely to be in Stanley Cup contention. The Rangers have made the playoffs four out of the past five seasons. They have a strong team with a mix of established veterans and promising young players. Kane already got a taste of playing with this group last season, and he could find himself back in NYC this season.