Patrick Kane Rumors Resume Over Potential Landing Spots

Patrick Kane continues to get closer to a return from hip surgery, and the NHL rumor mill picked up with talk about where the free agent could sign.

It's been a little while since Patrick Kane turned up in the NHL rumor roundup. As the 34-year-old free-agent winger's anticipated December draws near, speculation has resumed over his potential landing spots.

On Nov. 4, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Kane could be getting closer to narrowing down his list of potential destinations. Five days later, he indicated as many as eight clubs are “somewhat seriously” looking at Kane.

Meanwhile, The Athletic's Chris Johnston listed the Florida Panthers, Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, Toronto Maple Leafs and Kane's previous club, the New York Rangers, as destinations where league sources believe he is most likely to land.

Johnston indicated the Rangers and Kane have kept tabs on each other, but it remains to be seen if a reunion is possible. The Panthers, meanwhile, could interest the veteran winger if he intends to sign with a potential contender.

The Red Wings and Sabres have the cap space to add Kane, but they might not satisfy his desire to play for a winner. As for the Leafs, Johnston considers them a long shot but isn't ruling them out.

Kane's off-season hip resurfacing procedure, however, could give some of these clubs a reason to be cautious.

Detroit Hockey Now's Bob Duff noted Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom underwent a similar procedure in 2022. However, he struggled to regain his form and recently stepped away from the game amid ongoing issues related to his hip.

Backstrom's not the only player to face that problem following hip resurfacing. Jesse Puljujarvi is hoping to return to action soon. Former NHLs Ed Jovanovski and Carl Hagelin also struggled after undergoing that procedure, while Ryan Kesler never played again.