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    Lyle Richardson
    Lyle Richardson
    Oct 23, 2023, 14:12

    Another round of speculation focused on where UFA Patrick Kane will sign, but some teams are better potential fits than others.

    Another round of speculation focused on where UFA Patrick Kane will sign, but some teams are better potential fits than others.

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    As Patrick Kane continues to prepare for his eventual return to NHL action later this fall, the media guessing game over where he'll end up keeps rolling along.

    Recent speculation has linked the 34-year-old winger to the Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers and Vegas Golden Knights.

    The Athletic's Chris Johnston reported last Thursday that the Kane camp intends to wait until early November before engaging with potential suitors. He also noted the Sabres and Panthers were believed to be among them.

    Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman singled out the Sabres, Panthers and Rangers as possible destinations for Kane. He also felt the Dallas Stars might be a good fit if Kane wants to win a Stanley Cup this season.

    Johnston's colleague Eric Duhatschek said compensation could be a key factor for those suitors. He pointed out the Sabres and Red Wings are better-positioned cap-wise to sign Kane whereas other clubs like the Rangers would have to shed salary to take him on.

    The New York Post's Larry Brooks doesn't buy into the hype of Kane returning with the Rangers. He claims the veteran winger's brief tenure with the Blueshirts left a sour taste in everyone's mouth despite the best intentions.

    Brooks said adding Kane would take away ice time from a young Rangers winger such as Alexis Lafreniere or Kaapo Kakko. He also cited a source claiming Kane is intrigued with the Toronto Maple Leafs but doubted he's a fit there.

    As for the Sabres, The Athletic's Matthew Fairburn acknowledged Kane's playoff experience could be useful. However, he wondered whether they actually needed him and how well he'd fit within their lineup.

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