Hockey Insider Officially Reveals Whether The Maple Leafs Have A Real Shot At Landing Prize Free Agent Patrick Kane

Patrick Kane has been eyeing a return to the NHL since undergoing hip resurfacing surgery last offseason. Several teams have been linked to the American winger but one contender in the Patrick Kane sweepstakes might be out of luck.

Kane Decision Down To Three Teams, Maple Leafs Not One Of Them

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported today on 32 thoughts that he believes Kane's decision is down to three teams. The teams till in on him are the Florida Panthers, Buffalo Sabres, and Detroit Red Wings.





Friedman specifically noted that talks between Kane and the Leafs have stalled and he is likely to join another club instead.

Leafs Finding Success Without Kane

All of that being said, Kane may very well be a downgrade for the Leafs anyways. Nick Robertson has unsurprisingly looked great since getting called up and Matthew Knies continues to play well. It is a bit concerning that Nylander and Matthews account for nearly half the team's goals, but the team cannot afford to get any worse defensively either.

Kane is also an uncertain commodity. Only two players have ever returned to the NHL after having hip resurfacing surgery and neither of them lasted long before they called it quits. One such player is Washington's Niklas Backstrom, who stepped away from the team after 8 games this season due to health concerns. As such, the teams interested in Kane should be asking themselves if he is really worth the risk, especially if his top priority is term, which has been reported.


Regardless, we are likely going to hear about Kane's final choice in the coming days.


As seen on Insider Elliotte Friedman Breaks Silence on Patrick Kane's Potential Move to the Toronto Maple Leafs - What This Could Mean for the Team and the League