NHL Odds: Could Patrick Kane end up on the Toronto Maple Leafs?

Patrick Kane’s return to the ice appears imminent and he reportedly has the Toronto Maple Leafs on his list of potential destinations, but there’s also several other teams in the mix. A three-time Stanley Cup winner, Kane is a tantalizing option for contenders around the NHL.

It’s certainly fair to question how dominant the soon-to-be 35-year-old remains at this stage of his career, but he’s just one year removed from a 92-point season. And Kane still managed to score 21 goals in 73 games split between the Blackhawks and Rangers last year despite playing through an injury that required hip surgery in the off-season.

If Kane is fully healthy and able to match even 60 to 70 per cent of his production from two years ago, teams should be clamouring for his services.

Chicago and New York are reportedly not interested in signing Kane, so we’re going over the list of the top potential suitors he would be a good fit with.

Don’t forget to check out our complete list of NHL game odds, NHL futures and NHL specials and props.

Patrick Kane’s Next Team

Buffalo Sabres

Buffalo has been linked to Kane since before his trade to the Rangers last year. It makes sense, given the fact he grew up in Buffalo and his family actually had Sabres season tickets when he was a kid. Kane still has an off-season home in the area and the Sabres, who have the second-most cap space in the NHL, could give Kane more money than any of the top Stanley Cup contenders. He could also fill a hole in the lineup as Tage Thompson is expected to miss significant time on injured reserve.

For Kane, it comes down to what he values. If he’s satisfied with what he has already won in his NHL career and he’s looking for the biggest pay day, Buffalo makes a lot of sense. If he cares more about winning and he wants to add a fourth Stanley Cup to his resume, the Sabres are not the right fit.

Florida Panthers

There were question marks surrounding the Panthers heading into this season, but through 15 games they’ve proven they are still a legit Stanley Cup contender. Kane could really bolster Florida’s offence as only five forwards on the team have more than six points and their power play ranks in the bottom half of the NHL.

The issue here is money. With defenceman Aaron Ekblad set to return to the lineup soon, the Panthers will have less than $1 million in cap space. That means even if Florida can convince Kane to take a league minimum contract or something near league minimum, they will likely still need to move a player to fit Kane’s contract in under the cap. Kane is a good fit on the ice for the Panthers, but he’s not a great fit financially.

Detroit Red Wings

Detroit is at the point in their rebuild when they need to make a serious push for the playoffs. Kane would only help with that goal. Steve Yzerman has been one of the most aggressive general manager’s in the NHL over the last couple of years in terms of free agency and trades and he’s been willing to take gambles on older veteran players.

The Red Wings have the fifth-most cap space in the NHL, so money won’t be an issue. Kane already has chemistry with Alex DeBrincat, his teammate in Chicago from 2017-18 to 2021-22. DeBrincat’s two 41-goal seasons both came with Kane as his linemate, so there should be a lot of temptation for Stevie Y to try to grab Kane and recapture that magic.

Dallas Stars

The Dallas Stars are a perfect fit for Kane. They’re a strong Stanley Cup contender and they have a skilled lineup that would allow Kane to be more of a depth piece rather than a main offensive contributor. Dallas could limit Kane’s ice time to reduce wear-and-tear on his body and they could essentially use him as a power play specialist.

The Stars have the same issue as every contender, however, and that’s money. Dallas has less than $600,000 in cap space, so they will need to ship a contract out to fit Kane on the roster. Another issue that doesn’t get brought up a lot is travel. The Stars have one of the worst travel schedules in the NHL, something that reportedly does not appeal to Kane. Still, playing on a top Stanley Cup contender could be worth a few sacrifices.

Tampa Bay Lightning

The Bolts are an attractive option for Kane if he’s all-in on winning another Stanley Cup. Tampa Bay went to three straight Stanley Cup finals before last year and the core players from that run are still around. They also have the advantage of no state tax, which could help offset the fact that Toronto is the only team with less cap space.

But, does Kane really fit into the Lightning lineup? Tampa Bay is an aging group and players like Steven Stamkos can’t be relied on to provide as much production as they did in the past. Plugging in a player like Kane to the lineup doesn’t seem to make sense for a team as cash strapped as the Lightning.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto is another top contender reported to be interested in Kane. The Leafs are in desperate need of depth scoring and Kane is used to the spotlight of a big market team. Kane also provides veteran leadership with immense playoff experience and a winning pedigree.

There a couple of reasons why Kane probably wouldn’t be a good fit in Toronto other than having the least amount of cap space in the NHL. First, he can be a defensive liability, which is something the Leafs already struggle with. And second, Kane needs power play minutes to succeed and there’s just no way for Toronto to fit him on the first PP unit. It’s tough to envision Kane in a Leafs jersey.