Reason exposed on why Patrick Kane refused to sign with Rangers

Before Patrick Kane went on to re-sign with the Detroit Red Wings as a free agent, there were rumours of a reunion with the New York Rangers.

The Rangers were reportedly determined to get Kane back, however, the veteran forward signed a one-year, $4 million contract to remain in Detroit. When it came time to explain why a reunion with New York did not take place, insider Pierre LeBrun explained what drove Kane to make the call.

“There was interest in teams like Buffalo, his hometown Sabres, the Rangers where he played before, Montreal if it was a short term deal, among other teams, lots of interest in Patrick Kane,” LeBrun said . “I think with Detroit at the end of the day, he really enjoyed it there and he needed to really find a reason to have to leave.”

Reunion rumours had also linked Kane back with the Chicago Blackhawks, though it came to be proven that it never came close. One could have occured with the Rangers, though the Red Wings offered him the opportunity to keep playing with Alex DeBricat.

While he only got a year in Detroit, LeBrun believes that if Kane were to be convinced to sign elsewhere, let’s say with the Rangers, he would have wanted more term and the insider assumes that NYC wasn’t willing to risk giving him more than a year based on the clear fact that he opted not to sign with the Blue Shirts.

Once Kane chose the Red Wings, the Rangers looked elsewhere for a boost up front, acquiring veteran forward Reilly Smith in a trade from the Pittsburgh Penguins as well as signing center Sam Carrick.

And Kane remains in Hockey Town.