BREAKING: Florida Panthers Pave The Way For Patrick Kane By Placing Defenseman On Waivers

On Friday, the Panthers initiated the process of placing Reilly on waivers, as reported by Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

With Reilly either being claimed by another team or headed to AHL Charlotte, the Panthers would be at 22 players.

Florida will have to make another move when defenseman Josh Mahura is healthy — coach Paul Maurice said he may be a week away from a return.

Having played in just two of the Panthers' 19 games, and with the return of Brandon Montour and Aaron Ekblad to the lineup, it comes as no surprise that Reilly is deemed surplus to the roster's requirements. Should he clear waivers, it is anticipated that Reilly will be assigned to the minors.

Future Hall of Fame forward Patrick Kane has expressed his desire to join a new team post-Thanksgiving, and the Florida Panthers appear to be leading the race, according to NHL Insider Kevin Weekes on NHL Network.

"As of today,'' Weekes stated, "and this is always subject to change, but as of right now, these guys are the frontrunners to acquire Patrick Kane."

Kane, who recently turned 35, underwent hip resurfacing surgery on July 1. Despite being active in the Toronto area, where he has been skating and working out, he may require some time to reach optimal game shape.

In August, Kane mentioned having been on the ice "about 20 times" and feeling close to a return. "It's just exciting to see progression and just feeling better on the ice," he shared at that time. "Kind of getting back to my old self, so it's pretty exciting."

The Panthers, dealing with salary cap constraints, may face challenges in accommodating Kane financially. However, Weekes pointed out the allure of Florida, emphasizing the team's competitiveness, favorable living conditions, and the absence of state income tax.

When assessing potential roles for Kane, Weekes highlighted the team's up-tempo style of play and suggested various placements, including the right side of the third line with Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen. Kane could also find a spot on Florida's top power play unit.

Kane, the first overall pick in the 2007 draft, spent the entirety of his career with the Blackhawks before being traded to the Rangers at last season's deadline. Despite dealing with a deteriorating hip, he managed to score 21 goals in 73 games with Chicago and New York.

With 1,180 career regular season games, Kane boasts 451 goals and 1,237 points. In 143 playoff games, he has tallied 53 goals and 138 points. If the move to the Panthers materializes, Kane could add versatility to Florida's lineup.