New contender enters Patrick Kane sweepstakes with the upper hand!
Will he sign there soon?
HockeyFeed
We are soon heading into November and it was said more than once that free agent star forward Patrick Kane could be ready to return to action after rehabbing from hip resurfacing surgery he underwent in June. First things first : he needs to sign a new contract with a contender in the NHL and ever since he entered free agency in July, several teams have been in the mix and keeping tabs on Kane. The Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers and New York Rangers have been linked to Kane since this summer and now a new contender that could get Kane’s attention has entered the mix.
According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the Dallas Stars are calling and could convince Kane to come to Texas for the season. But money is tight in Dallas as the Stars just under $500,000 in cap space. A trade will be require to make room for Kane if the interest is mutual.
“My understanding is there has been and remains interest from Kane, but if he and the Stars want to make this work, Dallas will have to free up the salary cap space to fit the star sniper onto their roster.”
The Stars do fit the bill in terms of a contending team that is likely to reach the postseason, which is a huge plus in the sweepstakes. Dallas currently sits second in the Central division with a 4-1-1 record and nine points.
This could mean that another team gets involved in talks as the Montreal Canadiens, San Jose Sharks, Philadelphia Flyers and Anaheim Ducks could come in to facilitate the signing in Dallas if they can get something good for their help. Of course, that third party team will look to cash in on the biggest free agent signing of the season.
Kane’s agent, Pat Brisson, did mention earlier this month that he and his client will be fielding offers at the start of November. We however might have to wait a bit longer, especially since most teams are struggling with cap issues, before Kane signs on the dotted line.
And this may cause trades to take place first before we find out what uniform Kane will sport for the 2023-24 season and on his way, he certainly hopes, to a possible fourth championship before he hangs up the stakes.
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