Patrick Kane's future in the NHL may have been leaked

One of the more intriguing forwards that remains available on the free agent market is Patrick Kane, who was acquired by the New York Rangers from the Chicago Blackhawks at last season's NHL Trade Deadline. 

And so far, it doesn't appear as though he's been able to garner any serious interest from another club until his rehabilitation from surgery is complete. Not long after the season for the Rangers ended, Kane underwent hip resurfacing surgery and was listed to have an expected recovery time of at least four to six months. 

According to The Athletic's Arthur Staple, Kane could find himself right back with the Rangers next season - especially if they find themselves struggling out of the gate:

"In a best-case scenario, the Rangers don’t need Kane — they will have adopted Laviolette’s system quickly, the pieces added in free agency will fall into place and all will be well by November.

Things don’t usually work like that, though. And if Chris Drury decides, as he did at the deadline this past season, that the lineup is crying out for Kane, he’ll move mountains to get it done, even though moving mountains in March didn’t really work out.

And then Kane has to choose them. He might choose Edmonton or Colorado, or maybe Buffalo, depending on who can squeeze a modest cap hit in and which team Kane feels has the best chance to win. I have heard he really enjoyed his brief Rangers stint and would love a shot to show what he can do there when healthy, which he definitely was not in the spring.”

Kane, who has been dealing with a hip issue for several seasons now, appeared in a total of 73 games in 2022-23 between the Blackhawks and Rangers, scoring a total of 21 goals with 36 assists. He also lamented his lack of production with the Rangers as they would bow out in Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs to the New Jersey Devils after initially enjoying a two games to none series lead. 

Recommended articles:

• 2020 1st round pick Alexis Lafrenière reveals future with Rangers
• Rangers’ Chris Kreider reveals how heartbroken he is...
• Former Bruins, Rangers, Oilers and Canucks forward signs a new deal in free agency
• Former Rangers, Sens and Knights forward Oscar Lindberg signs a new contract
• K'Andre Miller's fate with New York Rangers sealed