It looks like the currently unrestricted free agent is ready to play on the ice, after undergoing successful hip resurfacing surgery that required him to recover for six months, and he has three teams that are in contention to snag him.
It's reported he likely won't make a decision before November, so it leaves us with several weeks to speculate on where he might go.
As I mentioned in an article last week, he primarily wants to be on a contender. The Rangers' are the only team that fits the bill out of the three teams mentioned.
The question iswhere will the money come from for signing him?
The Rangers' available cap space is just slightly above $700,000 currently with a roster of 22 players, it accrues over the year as they remain with 22 players.
They are cap constrained, which will remain a considerable roadblock in a potential deal. Someone did suggest an interesting scenario however:
Something like this could work, but if he's considering another team like the Sabres, they will likely be able to match this offer and even surpass it considerably.
Trading a forward, potentially Barclay Goodrow and his $3.6 million contact, seems likelier and can help facilitate Kane's return to the Rangers more probable.
I'm sure the Rangers' can navigate a way to bring Kane onto the team.
The question will be, is what will they need to give up in order to acquire him, and if the risk is worth it?
The team currently constructed is a Stanley Cup Contender. Adding Kane will aid to that goal no question, but only if he remains healthy, and that is a question worth pondering.
POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 17 | 138 ANSWERS Rangers Are Considering A Reunion? With What Cap Space? Do you want Patrick Kane to play on the Rangers again? | ||
Yes | 79 | 57.2 % |
No | 59 | 42.8 % |
List of polls |