The 34-year-old remains unsigned following hip resurfacing surgery on June 1.
The 34-year-old remains unsigned following hip resurfacing surgery on June 1.
Would a move to Toronto make sense for both Patrick Kane and the Maple Leafs?
Following a year where the team took a step, getting past the first round, Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving added two players in Tyler Betruzzi and Max Domi who've both played left wing during their NHL careers.
Though that shouldn't stop Toronto from going after Kane, if that's what both parties wanted.
The 34-year-old had a fascinating year, scoring 57 points in 73 games while splitting the season with both the Chicago Blackhawks and New York Rangers.
After the playoffs, where he put up six points in seven games, Kane elected to have hip resurfacing surgery in June, which'll keep him out of game action for six months.
“It’s just exciting to see progression and just feeling better on the ice,” Kane told the Associated Press in a phone interview last Thursday. “Kind of getting back to my old self, so it’s pretty exciting.”
When looking at the Maple Leafs' left wing, which is where Kane would play, Toronto is fairly comfortable. Along with Bertuzzi and Domi, the team also has Matthew Knies, Nick Robertson, and Bobby McMann.
And while it's uncertain of who'll be a part of the left side following training camp, it's fair to say that Toronto has a decent crop of talent there.
Kane told the Associated Press last week that he's staying patient when it comes to where he'll play next season and expects to assess his situation once NHL training camps open up.
“If someone wanted to come and give an offer that I was excited about," Kane said, "and a situation that I’m excited about, it’s not like I wouldn’t be listening just because of the situation I’m in.”
When looking at whether Kane fits into the Maple Leafs' plans, there are a few things to consider with the first being the salary cap.
Depending on how everything shakes out at training camp, Toronto could enter the season with a 21-man roster. Though with that being said, they'd need to send a number of players down, including Sam Lafferty and Conor Timmins, for that to work.
If you wanted to fit Kane into this team, you'd likely need to ship out another body because the 34-year-old isn't expected to sign a league-minimum contract. Although he is older, Kane can still produce at a pretty decent rate. And that's while dealing with a nagging injury.
A healthy Kane could likely still be one of the more productive players in the NHL. But you wouldn't be able to have him until December, which is when his recovery ends.
So with that being said, who are you going to ship out to make room for the 34-year-old? Is it trading someone like Calle Jarnkrok who has $2.1 million on the books for each of the next three seasons?
I'm not sure subtracting a right-winger to add to your already adequate left wing is a smart move. To be honest, I'm not sure it's worth moving any player, forward or defense, out for an aging player like Kane.
Adding him to Toronto would obviously give them a boost, but it would also take away from the development needed for players like Robertson and Knies, barring they make the team.
It would also take away from their depth if you were to move Jarnkrok, or say, TJ Brodie.
From afar, adding Kane to the Maple Leafs looks like a great idea. Though as you look deeper, you can see that it just won't work unless subtractions from the team are made.
And I don't believe moving players out, who still bring value to the team, for an aging winger, is the smartest move.
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