'He's Going To Be Very Determined And Motivated': Maple Leafs React to Patrick Kane Joining the Atlantic Division
Patrick Kane has made up his mind and his decision could have an impact on the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Following extensive rehab from hip surgery, the superstar forward signed with the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday. The club has been one of the early surprises in the Atlantic Division with an 11-6-3 record and has two more points than the Maple Leafs (10-6-3) through games played on Monday.
"Knowing Pat a little bit, he just loves to play," Maple Leafs captain John Tavares said of Kane. "I can only imagine that he's going to be very determined and motivated just to go out there and play and feel like himself."
The Maple Leafs reportedly had conversations with Kane's representatives via Zoom, but were never a frontrunner to land the three-time Stanley Cup champion.
Kane had until Dec. 1 to sign a contract with an NHL club, otherwise he would have been ineligible to play this season.
Maple Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe was pumped for his former teammate. The two spent one-and-a-half seasons together while with the Chicago Blackhawks before the Maple Leafs acquired McCabe in a trade last February.
"Overall it's good for the league when he plays," McCabe said of Kane. "Excited to see him back out there."
Kane and the Red Wings visit the Maple Leafs twice this season beginning Jan. 14 at Scotiabank Arena.
Selected first overall by the Blackhawks in the 2007 NHL Draft, Kane won the Hart Trophy in 2016 for being the NHL's most valuable player. He also won the Art Ross Trophy that season following a 106-point season. He became the first American-born player to win both awards.
On Jan. 19, 2020, Kane became the youngest American player to reach 1000 career regular-season points.
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