Free agent Patrick Kane has many NHL teams speculated as possible destinations for him. The Boston Bruins are likely not on that list.
Patrick KaneTrying to determine where free-agent winger Patrick Kane will end up has become a regular topic for pundits in recent weeks.
As the 34-year-old star rehabs from an off-season hip-surfacing procedure, there is speculation that his camp could start fielding offers from interested clubs in early November.
The Buffalo Sabres, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Vegas Golden Knights have been mentioned as possible destinations for Kane. However, we shouldn't expect the Boston Bruins to join that list.
On Saturday, Boston Hockey Now's Jimmy Murphy cited an NHL source dismissing that possibility. He noted that they lack sufficient salary cap space to make a competitive bid for the Kane.
PuckPedia indicates the Bruins have just over $687,500 in cap room. They're so limited for space that they placed sidelined winger Milan Lucic on long-term injury reserve to create room to call up Oskar Steen as his replacement.
Even if the Bruins had the cap room to pursue Kane, finding space on their roster could be difficult. Murphy's source noted they already have plenty of wingers and would have to move one out to add Kane to their lineup. That could be challenging, given how many teams are tight against this season's cap.
That's not to suggest that Bruins GM Don Sweeney won't attempt to bolster his roster at some point, if necessary, during this season. However, he'll likely avoid the Kane sweepstakes.
THN.com/free