No. 1 UFA the Toronto Maple Leafs Should Sign: Patrick Kane
The 34-year-old winger has accomplished everything you’d ever dream of in professional hockey.
He’s a three-time Stanley Cup winner, Hart Trophy winner and Conn Smythe Trophy winner and still has another potential five years left in his career.
Despite dealing with injuries all season and playing the majority of the games a on terrible Chicago Blackhawks team, he still scored 21 goals and had 57 points.
I know it was a down-season for Kane, but based on those injuries and the scrutiny in Chicago, I’d say it was still a successful year for Kane.
Kane’s currently on the shelf until most likely November, or December, but the UFA would fit great in Toronto.
I know a $1M seems crazy for Kane, but after this injury, he’d actually be smart to sign with a great team on a cheap deal and then get a crazy big contract in the summer of 2024.
If he can show he still has something left in the tank, a team will give him a three-year deal somewhere between $6-9M AAV for his services.
Team’s should be a little worried to give Kane a long-term deal now, which is probably why he hasn’t signed, so a short-term, small-money deal in Toronto could lead to big things for not only the Leafs, but Kane as well.