Patrick Kane is a free agent, he’s virtually at 100% wholesome and he’s able to get again to the grind of an NHL season.
The previous Chicago Blackhawks legend turned New York Ranger has been placing in work to rehab his surgically repaired hip. Kane’s excited in regards to the progress he’s made this summer season after being below the knife again on June 1.
With regards to the Toronto Maple Leafs, normal supervisor Brad Treliving ought to at the very least be making one telephone name to see what Kane is searching for on his subsequent contract. At 34 years previous, it probably received’t be greater than a two-year deal, one thing the Maple Leafs GM ought to at the very least be kicking tires on.
Maple Leafs Might Use One other LW
One space of concern heading into the 2023-24 season is left-wing depth. The Leafs are relying closely on Tyler Bertuzzi and Matthew Knies to hold the load within the high six, in the meantime the likes of Nick Robertson and probably Max Domi might have themselves penciled in on the third line left facet.
Including Kane would assist guarantee Knies begins the season on the staff’s third line and would give the Leafs an opportunity to steadiness out the top-nine very properly. Think about Kane, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner taking part in collectively all season with Bertuzzi with John Tavares and William Nylander. Discuss the very best top-six within the league…
Kane additionally performed lots with Domi final season in Chicago so there’s some familiarity there, nonetheless to me, it could take advantage of sense beginning him off with Matthews and Marner. It might make for some must-see TV.
Including Kane Means Any person Goes
Sure, as per traditional, the Maple Leafs are up towards the cap. They must already juggle some issues round to probably go along with a 11F/7D lineup for opening evening. Including Kane would complicate issues much more and it’s very probably a commerce would wish to happen to make it occur.
Is that this one thing Treliving desires to do? Seemingly not as it could probably be a defensemen like TJ Brodie or Timothy Liljegren or forwards like Calle Jarnkrok or Sam Lafferty who would must be moved. Not not possible, however speak about a danger shifting out a depth piece that creates one other gap, simply so as to add an growing old Kane who didn’t seem like himself at instances with the Rangers.
That is the place the wildcard comes into play. Kane was harm, he was taking part in by means of ache and he wanted to have surgical procedure. Repairs are full, now what to anticipate? 12 factors in 17 video games with the Rangers kind-of-production, or the previous Kane, who generally is a game-changer and rack up 92 factors in 78 video games like he pulled off with the ‘Hawks again in 2021-22?
It’s under no circumstances the proper match for the Leafs, however at this level, there’s actually no such factor contemplating the wage cap implications.
Kane Holds All of the Playing cards
There’s little doubt the Maple Leafs would look even scarier heading into subsequent season with Kane of their lineup, however his contract calls for imply the whole lot. He received’t be asking for $10.5 million like his final deal, however he’s additionally probably not going to just accept a $1-$2-million common annual worth on his subsequent deal. The American star winger is holding all of the playing cards to his future within the palm of his palms.
Kane not too long ago caught up with Related Press and had this to say on what’s subsequent.
“It’s simply thrilling to see development and simply feeling higher on the ice. Sort of getting again to my previous self, so it’s fairly thrilling. If somebody wished to return and provides a suggestion that I used to be enthusiastic about, and a scenario that I’m enthusiastic about, it’s not like I wouldn’t be listening simply due to the scenario I’m in. I feel we’re on the level now the place, I imply, might I come again early? Yeah, most likely. However does it make sense? You understand, it could be higher to take the total time and simply be sure I’m at 105-110% as a substitute of simply 90-95. But it surely’s lots higher than I used to be final yr.”
Two groups to keep watch over are the Detroit Crimson Wings and Buffalo Sabres. They each have over $5 million to work with heading into this season and Kane might be a severe possibility right here.
As for the Maple Leafs, admittedly a pipe dream however one that will excite the hell out of Leafs Nation. Kane is a world-class expertise when wholesome and if he’s absolutely recovered heading into this season, get set for some massive issues out of the long run hall-of-famer.