An In-Depth Look at Three Teams Reported to Have a Chance in the Patrick Kane Sweepstakes
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With the regular season in full swing, NHL veteran Patrick Kane is continuing to take his time on deciding where he wants to take his talents to next. Despite a decision not yet made and those around the league remaining tight-lipped about the star winger, there have been several updates over the past few weeks. Below is what has been reported as the current state of affairs:
Who are the three main contenders?
Hosts of the “32 Thoughts” podcast and Sportsnet Insiders, Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman explained today that there are a number of contenders vying for the winger’s signature on a contract, but little has been said about which way the wind is blowing from Kane’s camp. The Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, and Dallas Stars are all names that have been floating around the rumor mill. Although many Chicago Blackhawks fans would be over the moon to re-sign Kane, especially in the absence of Taylor Hall and Corey Perry, it does not look like the Windy City will be a fit.
Contender #1: Detroit Red Wings
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One of the biggest factors that keeps Kane’s interest in the Red Wings must be Alex DeBrincat. After being dealt from the Ottawa Senators to Detroit in July, the Michigan-native signed a four-year, $7.875 million AAV deal. He now leads the team in assists and is second in points and goals, behind captain Dylan Larkin in both categories.
Along with a reunion with his former partner in crime, which is what drew him to waive his no-movement clause for Artemi Panarin and the New York Rangers last season, Kane wants to win. Surprisingly, the Red Wings are in a position of contention at the moment. The team currently sits comfortably in third place in the historically tough Atlantic Division and sixth in the entire NHL. Detroit has a top ten power play in the league as well as a top fifteen penalty kill. With near $6 million in cap space, Kane could be a perfect fit for a playoff run.
Contender #2: Florida Panthers
The Panthers are arguably the most intriguing name on Kane’s reported list of contenders. The team is 12-7-1 and positioned just barely ahead of the Red Wings for second in the Atlantic. One of the only worries with the Panthers would be available cap space, or lack thereof. The Florida squad currently has a bit more than $1.5 million, soon to be $2.5 million with Mike Reilly being waived earlier today. No matter where his next contract comes from, Kane will not be making near what he’s used to, $10.5 million to be exact, but it will likely not be as low as $2.5 million either.
If Florida General Manager Bill Zito can maneuver the cap space issue, there are not too many downsides for Kane if he decides to sign with the defending Eastern Conference champions. Sam Reinhart and Matthew Tkachuk are currently slotted as nos. 1 and 2 right wingers on the Panthers roster, which means that Kane, who is coming off of hip surgery, would not have to take on as large of a role as he is used to. The Panthers can also use him to bolster their current power play unit and move into the league’s top ten. This could be an ideal position for him on a team that is poised to make another deep run for the Stanley Cup.
Contender #3: Dallas Stars
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Currently holding second place in the Central Division and all but guaranteed a playoff spot, the Dallas Stars are yet another interesting landing spot for Kane. Like Florida and many other legitimate Cup challengers, Dallas is pretty strapped for cash. The Stars have less than $1 million available which, even short-term, would likely not be an option for the winger. However, if General Manager Jim Nill makes a move in the near future, Kane could potentially end up back in the Central for the remainder of the 2023-24 season.
The Dallas Stars have an extreme amount of depth, comparable to that of the Stanley Cup-winning Chicago Blackhawks teams that Kane has been a part of in the past decade. The Stars are getting production from every line and defensive pairing, which makes it a bit of a head-scratcher when it comes to Kane. Due to this success coming from all angles, there does not necessarily seem to be a need for the future Hall of Famer on paper. Despite Kane’s reported level of interest, if the Stars do not reciprocate, he’ll be forced to look elsewhere.
