Major Update Regarding Patrick Kane's Future

Patrick Kane, who spent most of his summer in Toronto and intends to remain in the GTA for several more weeks, was previously speculated to have a potential deal with the Leafs upon his return to full health.

Missing Link For Leafs?

Rumors were rampant that the Leafs might wait for Kane to turn 35 in November and then sign him to a league minimum 35+ contract, which would incorporate performance bonuses. This arrangement would allow any additional bonuses to be deducted from the following year's salary cap, resulting in Kane having a $775K cap hit for this season. However, TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston debunked this theory.

Kane's Age A Factor

During his appearance on TSN's Insider Trading, Johnston explained that Kane missed the eligibility criteria for a 35+ contract by 5 months. Therefore, Kane can't sign such a contract until the subsequent summer. This implies that if the Leafs wish to enlist Kane's services at a cap hit close to the league's minimum salary, he'd need to accept a significant reduction in pay compared to what's likely available for him on the open market.

At 34, and post a major hip surgery, Kane's prowess isn't what it used to be. Questions regarding the impact of his recent surgery on his agility and speed, along with concerns about his durability remain unanswered. While it's not impossible for Kane to join Toronto, the likelihood of such a move has diminished greatly.

As Read On Maple Leafs Insider - New piece of information makes it next to impossible for the Leafs to sign Kane