Major Declaration on Patrick Kane's Next Contract in the NHL

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Julien Trekker
July 31, 2023 (9:35)

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A major piece of news has surfaced concerning the best unrestricted free agent who is still without a contract ahead of the upcoming season, Patrick Kane.

According to reports by ESPN's journalist Greg Wyshynski, the renowned number 88 will not sign an agreement before the start of the 2023-2024 campaign, and he might even wait several weeks after the season begins before signing a new contract.

"This is one of the most unorthodox approaches for a superstar free agent in recent memory. Kane isn't seeking to commit to a team during the summer. He will take the time to recover while keeping an eye on the standings during the early weeks of the season. When he's ready to return, and Brisson [his agent] believes he'll be ready in December, Kane will choose the team that suits him best and has the best chance of winning the Stanley Cup."

- Greg Wyshynski

Wow! This is really unusual!

Kane would wait until he's fully recovered from his surgeries and analyze the overall standings to determine which team he will sign with for the rest of the season.

However, it's highly likely that Kane will have to take a significant pay cut, as the top-ranking teams are mostly those with very little salary cap flexibility.

This would mean that the 34-year-old forward could become a real steal for the team that signs him at a bargain, mid-season, while he's already dominating the NHL. It would be a significant addition to any lineup aiming for the Stanley Cup.

Given the excellent young team the Buffalo Sabres are currently building, some rumors in the NHL link Kane's fate to his hometown team. If he were to make a huge leap forward in their progress, similar to what the New Jersey Devils did last year by becoming one of the top 6-7 teams in the league, the Sabres could very well become the perfect destination to welcome Patrick Kane.

Credit: HabsolumentFan