Patrick Kane is still a UFA this morning, and the Red Wings, Sabres and Blackhawks all remain part of his decision.
Al Cimaglia reported the update, and the details matter for three different rosters heading into the rest of the summer.
Cimaglia says he flagged weeks ago that Kane was unlikely to stay in Detroit, with Buffalo the more likely landing spot at the time.
Kane, according to Cimaglia, was in no hurry to sign anywhere. That has not changed as of yesterday, per the same source.
Kane update: I mentioned a few weeks ago Patrick Kane was most likely not staying in Detroit and was pointed toward Buffalo, but he was in no hurry to sign a contract. Since then, with the Bedard injury the Hawks become a possibility. As of yesterday, from the same source, I hear Kane is still in no hurry. Buff may need to make a move or 2 so Kane can get his minutes and that hasn't had happened. IMO, the issue for Kane, if he comes back to Chicago, is he may not want to leave again, but still want to play a couple of more seasons. Maybe his feelings would be different with Buffalo, about being his last stop. Coming to Chgo also has to includes different expectations for this season, so his choice is more invloved than some would think.
The Red Wings finished 41-31-10 under Todd McLellan, a season that never found consistent traction on the score sheet.
Buffalo closed at 50-23-9 under Lindy Ruff, fourth overall in the league. Cimaglia says the Sabres may need a move or two first.
That roster shuffle, per the report, has not happened yet. Buffalo needs to open ice time before Kane can slot in and play.
Then Chicago entered the picture. Connor Bedard's injury, as Cimaglia describes it, turned a long-shot reunion into an actual possibility.
Kane's choice comes with strings attached in Chicago
Bedard put up 75 points in 69 games this season for a Blackhawks team that still finished 29-39-14, dead last in the league.
Jeff Blashill runs that bench now, and Kyle Davidson runs the front office. Neither has Kane under contract, and neither has a firm answer.
Cimaglia's own read is blunt. If Kane goes back to Chicago, he may not want to leave again, since he would rather finish out a couple more seasons somewhere he trusts.
Would two years in his old sweater feel different than two years in Buffalo? That is the actual question hanging over this decision.
Cimaglia frames Buffalo as the option where Kane could view it as his last stop. Chicago, by contrast, comes loaded with different expectations for right now.
A return to the Blackhawks means walking into a last place club hoping a decorated former scoring leader fixes something injuries and youth have not solved.
That is a lot to ask of one player, no matter how many battle scars he is carrying from that Chicago run the first time around.
Cimaglia's bottom line stands out. Kane's choice, he says, is more involved than people think, and nothing here points to a decision landing soon.
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Buffalo keeps waiting. Chicago keeps waiting. And Kane, for now, is in no hurry to end either conversation.
Should Patrick Kane finish his career back with the Blackhawks instead of joining the Sabres?
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