If the Detroit Red Wings made the playoffs this season, there’s no doubt in my mind that Patrick Kane would’ve already re-signed. Still, it’s not like there aren’t incentives in place for Kane to stay. That said, if you asked me right now to make a projection, I’d say you’ll see Kane wearing the winged wheel again.
But that doesn’t mean there won’t be competition. Kane hasn’t re-signed yet, and free agency’s just a few short weeks away. You know, that frenzy in which players change teams at the drop of a hat. It’s one of the most eventful days of the offseason that takes place shortly before the ‘summer break.’
So, let’s assume Kane doesn’t re-sign with the Red Wings by July 1st. Which teams will the Wings need to fend off if they’re interested in keeping Kane in town?
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars aren’t bringing everyone back next season, and that’s a given. So, they’ll need to find a way to add some cost-effective talent to what should still be a championship-caliber lineup.
This could put someone like Kane high on their priority list. He’s a former Stanley Cup Champion who Stars fans became too familiar with during his time in Chicago. Still, fans would forgive Kane in about two seconds if he could help this team exorcise their Western Conference Final demons, something that’s haunted them for three years running.
Signing Kane would also mitigate the losses that are coming to Dallas once July rolls around. And could anyone ask for a better stopgap? Probably not. That said, don’t be surprised if the Stars make a run for Kane should he stay unsigned.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Surprised? Don’t be, because unless the Penguins moved Sidney Crosby this summer, they’re likely going to try and run it back with a team full of cost-effective yet solid stopgaps. And a few NHL-ready youngsters who will comprise the next generation of Penguins players.
Despite going three straight seasons without a playoff berth and seemingly regressing recently, everyone in the Steel City would love to end the careers of Sidney Crosby, Geno Malkin, and Company with one more Stanley Cup. Plus, despite the lean recent seasons, winning one more in the span of 17 seasons would all but solidify the Penguins dynasty.
And imagine Kane sharing the ice with Sidney Crosby and Company. I mean, we’re talking about a team fueled with legendary players that would be even more fun to watch if Marc-Andre Fleury decided to play another year at the last minute and end his career where it started.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Hey, the Maple Leafs are in a higher sense of urgency than Steve Yzerman, if you want the honest truth. They need to prove that they’re more than just a good regular season team that wins a playoff series every now and again, and if they lose Mitch Marner to the Wings or someone else, Kane’s capable enough to skate in as a stopgap.
No, Kane’s not Marner at this point, but he wouldn’t be the only replacement in Ontario. Kane would help, and it’s why you’d see the Leafs make a serious run for him. But they’ll be bringing in a few capable players on bargain deals to try and go deeper into the playoffs than they have.
An ideal situation for the Leafs would see them keeping Marner and signing someone like Kane. So even if they worked out a deal with Marner, it still wouldn’t surprise me if Kane’s next stop came north of the border.
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