2023-07-24 20:22:22
In the birthplace of the three-time NHL champion, however, there is no consensus regarding his arrival. “We need more goaltenders and backs,” reads the fan forums of the team, which has been waiting in vain for 16 seasons to advance to the playoffs, which is the longest bitter streak among all 32 NHL teams. However, this year, Buffalo was only one point short of participating in the elimination round.
More than three weeks after the free market opened, Kane is still without a contract for the 2023-24 season. Originally, he had planned to end his career in Chicago, which he led to triumphant drives for the cup in 2010, 2013 and 2015, but the strength of the best team of the 1990s faded and the extremely skilled striker decided to trade to New York this year. However, it did not turn out according to his ideas.
The Rangers were eliminated by New Jersey in the first round, and coach Gerard Gallant was ejected. Kane had a record of 1+5 in seven playoff games, but his performances did not stand out from the rest. In the post-season interviews, he expressed his desire to continue in Manhattan, but Rangers general manager Chris Drury is obviously not interested.
“I know I’m going to be 35, but I still feel pretty young. The passion is still there. I still know I can be a top player if I just focus on hockey and not on how I feel,” said Kane, who attended the Sabers with his dad as a boy.
But the important news for potential interested parties was the summer hip operation, after which the American may be out of action until December.
“There’s no rush,” Kane’s agent Pat Brisson said a few days ago. “We’ll see at the right time how Patrick feels and then we’ll make arrangements,” added the player’s representative. A two-year contract for seven million dollars is said to be not something that his client would even consider dealing with. Hmm.
Kane, a former holder of the Calder Trophy, Hart Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy, is no longer the player that defenses would knock against like ten years ago. From 92 points in the 2021-22 season, he dropped to 57 last year. However, he is still a striker who would definitely be worth it to several teams.
Carolina or Colorado showed interest. But whether Buffalo, which has just over $6 million under the salary cap, should apply is a point of contention near Niagara Falls.
According to optimists, Kane would bring experience from the playoffs to the Sabers cabin, and would also help youngsters such as Jack Quinn, John-Jason Peterka or Dylan Cozens. According to feedback behind the scenes, the American forward is not such a cohesive element in the cabin.
And it would rather take time from players who deserve it now. Such as the 19-year-old Jiří Kulich, who after a very good season on the farm in Rochester is headed to the first team of the Sabres. Just like Lukáš Rousek, who also plays in the same right wing position as Kane.
“Patrick Kane is the last thing the Sabers need right now,” writes the Die by the Blade blog. “He’s not the player he used to be, and it’s hard to imagine where he would fit in on the Sabers or how he would fit in without taking the place of someone else who deserves it just as much, if not more.”
But the question is which voices will reach the office of the club’s management, led by owner Terry Pegula and general manager Kevyn Adams.
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