Future Hall of Famer Patrick Kane could be hitting the open market on July 1st, and if the Detroit Red Wings let him become an unrestricted free agent, the Toronto Maple Leafs should be very interested in his services.
Kane, 36, will be one of the more intriguing free-agent forwards this offseason, as even with his age and a history of battling through some lower-body injuries, the veteran winger would be an immediate upgrade for the Maple Leafs top six, and certainly help GM Brad Treliving change the DNA of his hockey club. Kane’s a winner, he’s a leader, he’s someone Leafs’ captain Auston Matthews admires, and he proved last season he still has lots left in the tank.
Kane scored 21 goals and 59 points in 72 games for the Red Wings, averaging just under 18 minutes of ice-time per game, and with the direction of Detroit’s roster unknown at this point, Kane could be interested in catching on with a Stanley Cup contender to ride out his remaining years in hockey. His next contract will likely be for two or three years max, and with his ability to play his off wing, if Mitch Marner ends up walking, Kane is a very reasonable replacement for Toronto’s top line right-wing alongside Matthews, and Matthew Knies.
If Marner ends up staying, yes, money is going to be awfully tight given Knies is also going to eat up a big chunk the $25.7 million in cap space, and that doesn’t include John Tavares, who seems to be a likely candidate to re-sign with the Maple Leafs. Marner leaving however, would create a gaping hole on the right side of the Maple Leafs’ top-six. William Nylander can easily get bumped up to some more minutes on the top line, a move that would be music to Nylander’s ears, but after him, and with the potential of Marner skipping town, the Leafs’ depth at right wing would be crazy thin. Adding Kane fixes that gaping hole.
Kane’s only played for original six teams throughout his decorated career, adding the Leafs would cross another off the list. Signing with the Maple Leafs would give him every opportunity for top-end minutes, with highly skilled players and a chance to win the Cup. While Kane’s not a big body, and someone that screams a ‘Craig Berube type’ of player, Berube wants to win, Kane knows what it takes, so he could be a piece that helps push the needle for the Leafs, especially in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, when the moment seemed to big for some players in recent years. No moment is too big for Showtime.
The Red Wings will certainly have a fighting chance to work out a deal before free agency begins, as Kane has enjoyed his time in Motown, but his decision could be more based on winning than anything. Let’s get frank, Detroit isn’t contending anytime soon. Another wild card in Kane’s free-agent decision could be the future of Jonathan Toews. Could a reunion be in order between the two Chicago Blackhawks’ greats? Could the reunion potentially take place in Toronto?
At this point it seems like a longshot, as it’s hard to picture Toews going from quiet retreats to get his mind and body right, to the downtown core around Scotiabank Arena. But, when it comes to fit, and changing the DNA, what better than adding Toews and Kane to the Leafs dressing room?
Nevertheless, there’s no need to get greedy, adding Kane on his own would be a huge win for the Maple Leafs.
