Patrick Kane: the Panthers are extremely aggressive about signing him – Canada Boosts

It’s been simply over a month because the 2023-24 NHL season started, and but Patrick Kane remains to be as free as a fowl. This isn’t essentially a shock within the sense that he needed to attend till he’d recovered from hip surgical procedure earlier than signing, however he’s nonetheless a giant identify who doesn’t belong to any group.

The query is whether or not his hip will maintain up when he returns to motion. Do not forget that he underwent the identical operation as Nicklas Backstrom… who didn’t precisely break the whole lot after his return to motion (and whose profession sadly appears to be over).

The Sabres (he’s a neighborhood boy) and the Rangers (for whom he performed final yr) are among the many groups rumoured to have an interest, however the Panthers are additionally wanting into the matter…

And in accordance with Elliotte Friedman, it appears just like the Panthers are extraordinarily aggressive about signing him.

In actual fact, he explains that Invoice Zito, who’s the membership’s GM, is pushing very laborious to get Kane. Do not forget that Zito was the GM of the American group on the 2018 World Championship, a group whose captain was none aside from Kane. The 2 know one another and have a bond.

The Panthers don’t even have $100,000 free underneath the wage cap, however clearly Zito appears assured he can lure him to city. It’ll be robust to do in any other case than with a one-year contract at a low wage, particularly since Kane can’t signal a 35+ contract (for gamers 35 and over and contains efficiency bonuses) since he wasn’t 35 on June 30.In actual fact, he’ll be 35 this Sunday.

One wonders the place Kane would slot in with the Panthers, who depend on Paul Maurice’s aggressive check-forward system. Kane, who has by no means been probably the most intense ahead and is getting back from hip surgical procedure, might actually land in Florida as a pure power-play specialist.

Nonetheless in accordance with Friedman, however, it could seem that the wait is drawing to a detailed for Kane. The ahead will begin speaking to groups this week, and we are able to count on the whole lot to fall into place shortly thereafter.

Will he be again earlier than the top of 2023? It’s clearly not completely inconceivable.

We’ll see whether or not Kane makes his return to the sport in a Panthers uniform, however clearly, the membership’s GM is doing the whole lot in his energy to lure him to Florida. I’m wondering if it could be a poisoned chalice, however we’ll see if Zito can persuade Kane to return to Dawn.

In bursts

– Contemplating that he criticized Vancouver followers when he first joined the Canucks, I don’t assume it’s going to be all rosy.

– Offensive defensemen are all nicely and good, however we’re going to wish some massive offensive gamers at some point.

Sure, the addition of an elite expertise wouldn’t go amiss.

However an fascinating offensive future for the CH might additionally come via one thing else…

https://t.co/wLul45z24t

– TVA Sports activities (@TVASports) November 14, 2023

– William Nylander is having fun with the Maple Leafs’ go to to his native Sweden.

– Uhh.

Pat Mahomes wears the identical bobbles to each recreation!https://t.co/R24ZzuyQWc

– RDS (@RDSca) November 14, 2023