The Chicago Blackhawks and Buffalo Sabres make sense for Patrick Kane
Scott Powers, Mark Lazerus and Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic: Returning ‘home’ to the Chicago Blackhawks or the Buffalo Sabres would make sense for free agent forward Patrick Kane.
The Sabres lost offense with Alex Tuch signing with the Washington Capitals. They have some young players that could step up, but having Kane’s veteran presence, as well as his power-play ability, would be a nice addition. The Sabres are in win-now mode and almost made the Conference Finals. Kane is from South Buffalo and still has family and friends in the area.
Kane was one of the more popular Blackhawks in franchise history. He’d be a top-six forward, and one that could play with Connor Bedard when he returns from shoulder surgery. The Blackhawks aren’t as far along in the win category as the Sabres, but he could play a bigger role for the Blackhawks.
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Kane could play on the first line for the Blackhawks, where on the Sabres he’d be battling in their top nine. He’d get top PP time for both. Blocking playing time for younger Sabres may be a concern for them. Not being close to a playoff team may dissuade his interest in the Blackhawks.
Montreal Canadiens Kirby Dach’s name is out there
The Fourth Period: The Montreal Canadiens are looking to upgrade their top six and would preferably like to add a center. They are making RFA Kirby Dach available. David Pagnotta on DFO Rundown:
“Like I mentioned Jack Quinn with Buffalo around draft time, Kirby Dach’s name also has been circulating around the trade ranks. He’s an RFA. They have to figure out what they want to do … but his name has been circulating around the trade world.”
The Canadiens have about $13.4 million in cap space with RFAs Dach, Zack Bolduc, Arber Xhekaj and Brett Berard needing new contracts.
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“With the Canadiens still looking to upgrade their 2C position, and they have been obviously engaged in talks with other teams of some of their other star players to see if they can bring in another star, add to this arsenal,” Pagnotta said. “Maybe Dach is a player that’s utilized in some type of package along those lines, but his name, as I said, has been circulating. We’ll see if it continues to as the summer moves along.”
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