Could Several Atlantic Division Teams Pursue Patrick Kane?

Free agent forward Patrick Kane is progressing during his recovery from off-season hip surgery. The latest round of speculation links him to Detroit, Toronto and more.

Patrick Kane's representatives recently released a video showing their client performing skating drills as he continues to rehab from his off-season hip resurfacing procedure. That will further stoke speculation over where the 34-year-old free agent will go when he's ready to return to action.

Detroit Hockey Now's Kevin Allen cited hockey analyst Pierre McGuire suggesting the Detroit Red Wings as a destination. Talking with Montreal's TSN 690 last Thursday, McGuire thinks Kane could make “a massive difference” this season in Detroit, pointing out they also acquired his former teammate Alex DeBrincat.

This isn't the first time someone has linked Kane to the Red Wings. John Dietz of the Chicago Daily Herald last month cited a source close to the winger claiming he wanted to be reunited with DeBrincat.

With PuckPedia showing more than $5 million in cap space, the Wings have the room to add Kane if he's willing to accept a big pay cut from the $10.5-million average annual value of his previous contract. However, Sam Stockton doesn't see Kane as a fit in Detroit, citing concerns over his health and production.

McGuire also suggested Kane could be a fit with the Toronto Maple Leafs and his hometown club, the Buffalo Sabres. Other pundits have also linked him to those clubs. However, the Leafs lack the cap space to take him on. Meanwhile, the Sabres aren't considered a Stanley Cup contender, a criteria that his agent suggested could determine which club he eventually joins.

Boston Hockey Now's Jimmy Murphy wondered if the Boston Bruins could be an option. However, McGuire doesn't think they're a fit as they're in the middle of a mini-rebuild.