NHL Rumors: 3 Potential Landing Spots For Patrick Kane

Free agent Patrick Kane is in no rush to sign a contract, as he continues his recovery from offseason hip surgery. He will consider his options carefully, and is probably at least a month from making any decisions. But according to reports, teams are already lining up for the three-time Stanley Cup champion.

David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period tells us that the 34-year-old has had at least three teams display “significant” interest in him this summer: the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars and New York Islanders.

Other contenders that have been mentioned include the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers. 

One source even quotes a good friend of Kane as already having pegged where he'll wind up. According to a 'personal friend', "He will play for a contender. He already knows the team too." 

For now, we can only speculate, and these seem to be the three most likely destinations:

Colorado Avalanche

Obviously a Cup contender, only one year removed from hoisting Lord Stanley's mug, the Avs seem like a leading candidate for Kane's services. The cap situation works in Denver, as, with Gabriel Landeskog on LTIR, they'll have just over $2M in cap space.

Edmonton Oilers

Back at the trade deadline, Kane was strongly linked to the Oilers, and per Insider Frank Seravalli, "I would have to think... the idea of playing potentially with (Connor) McDavid and/or (Leon) Draisaitl would have to rise to the top of his list."

And with his former 'Hawks running mate Duncan Keith in the Edmonton organization, it's yet another link that could bring him to the Alberta contenders.

New York Rangers

This is the team that Kane waived his no-movement clause for at the March trade deadline, and it seems that he feels he has some unfinished business in Manhattan. He could definitely re-up with the Rangers when the time is right. 

Photo: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports