Where Will Patrick Kane Sign?

There's still some time before free agent Patrick Kane is ready to return to NHL action. The latest speculation suggests the ideal suitors will need to free cap space to sign him.

Patrick Kane remains weeks away from returning to action from his off-season hip resurfacing procedure. Nevertheless, speculation persists over which club the 34-year-old free-agent winger will sign with once he receives medical clearance to resume playing.

Recent rumors linked Kane to the Detroit Red Wings and the Buffalo Sabres. Those two clubs are also on Sportsnet's Emily Salder's list of potential destinations for the possible future Hall of Famer.

Sadler also included a possible return to the New York Rangers on her list. The New Jersey Devils, Vegas Golden Knights and Florida Panthers rounded it out.

We've previously noted the hometown connection with the Sabres as well as the fact that Kane's former linemate Alex DeBrincat now plays in Detroit. Both teams also possess the cap room to sign him.

However, Kane's agent indicated his client's preference would be signing with the suitor that gives him the best chance to win the Stanley Cup. That should rule out rebuilding clubs like the Sabres and Red Wings unless they're playing like contenders when Kane is ready to return.

The Rangers, Devils, Golden Knights and Panthers appear better suited for Kane's needs. It's rumored the Panthers were interested in him during the summer.

Cap space, however, will hamper those clubs' efforts to sign Kane. The Golden Knights and Panthers opened the season using long-term injury reserve to be cap-compliant. The Rangers are bumping against the $83.5-million ceiling, while the Devils have around $1.7 million in projected cap space.

One of those teams might find a creative way to free up the necessary space for Kane on an affordable one-year deal. Whether they can actually pull it off remains to be seen.