Patrick Kane has not ruled the Toronto Maple Leafs out of his potential landing spot. According to John Shannon, the free agent superstar met with the Maple Leafs on Tuesday as he’s reportedly lined up different meetings with head coaches and general managers this week.
Several insiders have hinted at the New York Rangers, Florida Panthers, Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres and the Maple Leafs as potential fits, though many wonder how Toronto could fit Kane under its tight cap…
Earlier this season, TSN insider Dave Poulin claimed on TSN 1050 that if indeed Kane’s hip condition heals as expected then the Leafs will be “at the forefront of potential suitors” with the idea floating around that Toronto could add Kane for league minimum and then bump up his pay if he produces. Those bonuses would then be added to next year’s salary.
However, with superstar Auston Matthews’ new deal kicking in next season though that might make things even more difficult. It really depends on what other moves general manager Brad Treliving has in mind.
Kane spent most of the offseason and start of the campaign in Toronto where he rehabbing from hip resurfacing surgery he underwent in June.
The Maple Leafs’ fanbase will be getting more and more excited about a possible addition to their roster once the veteran forward is ready to go and if this reported meeting with the front office went well.
Kane is expected to meet with other teams, including the Panthers, who have allegedly been quite aggressive in pursuing the free agent.
It sounds like Kane will end up somewhere in the Eastern conference, and with a meeting done in Toronto, what are the Maple Leafs’ actual chances to land the star forward?
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