Does Patrick Kane Make Sense For The Sabres?
Patrick Kane missed the start of the 2023-24 NHL Season after undergoing hip surgery in the offseason. Kane should be ready to play sometime in November but still doesn’t have a home. Kane doesn’t feel in a rush to sign and wants to see how things play out until he’s ready to play. There is an obvious landing spot in play and it’s staring us all in the face.
Does Patrick Kane make sense for the Buffalo Sabres? I would argue it’s the only landing spot that makes any sense.
For starters, if the Kane that we saw last year shows up, then he’s not helping anyone. I think it’s totally fair to blame his poor play on the hip but we also need to recognize that he wasn’t good last year. He’s arguably the worst defensive forward in the sport and was a total negative in the playoffs for the Rangers. If he still can’t move, you’re only getting another liability.
If Kane can move again, there is a chance he helps you. It’s all about finding the right spot and the Sabres check a lot of the boxes. For starters, they need help at that right winger spot behind Alex Tuch. Peyton Krebs has been elevated into that role but has failed to impress since coming over from Vegas.
Zach Benson is your other option but he’s 18. Do you really want him playing in a top six role right away?
Kane would make a ton of sense as a second line right winger to provide offense and play on the power play. On a young team, Kane would also provide a veteran voice of winning that the locker room in Buffalo doesn’t currently have. Also… Kane is from Buffalo. Talk about a hell of a homecoming. The Sabres hold the longest playoff drought in the NHL right now. Bringing the hometown kid to end that streak makes a ton of sense.
Returning to Chicago to play with Connor Bedard also makes some sense. The problem is they’re just behind the Sabres in their rebuilding timeline. Buffalo represents all of the young talent but are a team that’s knocking on the door of a playoff spot. Kane could be the missing piece to get them in.
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