The Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, Dallas Stars, and Buffalo Sabres are reportedly on the list of other teams interested.
The Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, Dallas Stars, and Buffalo Sabres are reportedly on the list of other teams interested.
Patrick Kane reportedly met with the Maple Leafs on Tuesday, even as reports suggest it's a longshot he signs with Toronto.
The 34-year-old is on the cusp of returning to the NHL after rehabbing hip resurfacing surgery he had on June 1. As John Shannon reports in the post above, Kane has been skating in Oakville, Ontario, and it appears he's begun his meeting process with the closest team.
Both Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving and President Brendan Shanahan are with the team in Sweden for the 2023 NHL Global Series games, meaning this process was potentially done virtually.
If Toronto goes down the road of signing the 34-year-old free-agent forward, there'd likely need to be a cap restructure. Given this situation, plus the potential one involving the Maple Leafs and Calgary Flames, money would need to go out for each to work.
Kane split last season between the Chicago Blackhawks and New York Rangers, putting up 21 goals and 36 assists in 73 games. He also had one goal and five assists in seven games with the Rangers in the playoffs.
It's unlikely he'll take a contract near league minimum given his production from last season. The Athletic's Chris Johnston reported last week that Toronto is a "longer-shot contender" to sign Kane but also that "the possibility can't be ruled out entirely."
Johnston also said that the 34-year-old wants to play somewhere that puts him in a position to win another Stanley Cup, plus a place where he can remain long-term.
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