Patrick Kane proved he's still capable of making a high-end offensive impact by scoring 57 points in 67 games for the Detroit Red Wings last season, and now the future Hockey Hall of Famer is looking for a new team ahead of the 2026-27 NHL campaign.
Chicago Blackhawks legend Chris Chelios said Wednesday on 104.3 The Score that he recently spoke with Kane, an unrestricted free agent who's apparently narrowed his choice down to a Hawks return or joining his hometown Buffalo Sabres.
"I am not gonna lie to you guys, it is down to Buffalo and Chicago," Chelios said. "I know that obviously because I spoke to him but it's a tough decision for him. It really is. Whether to go home, make it easy on his parents and his family and his friends, finish kind of like [Jonathan Toews] tried to do [with the Winnipeg Jets]. Or he comes back [to Chicago], and in my opinion, he's a Blackhawk."
He added: "I think he's gonna make his decision pretty quick now. It's time."
Kane is one of the most decorated American players in NHL history. He's a three-time Stanley Cup champion and three-time First Team All-Star selection. He's won each of these awards once: the Hart Trophy, the Conn Smythe Trophy, the Art Ross Trophy, the Calder Trophy and the Ted Lindsay Award.
The 37-year-old Buffalo native, who was selected with the No. 1 overall pick by Chicago in 2007, spent the first 16 years of his career with the Blackhawks. He made a brief stop with the New York Rangers before playing three seasons in Detroit.
Although the 5-foot-10 winger has frequently been linked to the Sabres in previous forays into free agency, he's ultimately opted against returning to Western New York.
Buffalo had been stuck in a miserable 14-year playoff drought at the time, though. Perhaps his outlook has changed now that the Blue and Gold are once again heading toward the contender category. Winning a Cup with his hometown team would be a storybook ending.
Buffalo Sabres' forward logjam may complicate Patrick Kane free-agent pursuit
The Sabres currently have at least 15 forwards (16 if you count Conor Sheary) set to compete for 13 roster spots up front. Signing can would tick that number up one more.
Depth isn't necessarily a bad thing, especially as the NHL moves to an 84-game schedule, but trying to find roster space and playing time for everybody could prove difficult.
As it stands, Buffalo is already slate to have a top-nine player skating on the bottom line, whether it be Jason Zucker or Noah Ostlund. Kane would slot in somewhere in the top six, which would push somebody else down a peg.
That's why it feels like more deals are coming from Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen.
Buffalo has been the most aggressive pursuer of Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck since before last month's 2026 NHL Draft. Although rumors about that move have faded a bit as of late, the Blue and Gold still appear like the best fit on paper for the standout netminder.
A trade featuring a couple forwards, Ryan McLeod and Jack Quinn make the most sense given the Jets' roster needs, would create the necessary space for Kane while also giving the club an unquestioned starting goaltender after using a three-goalie rotation last season.
Only time will tell whether that's actually how it plays out, but the Sabres will probably want to move toward an agreement with Winnipeg relatively soon if Kane is part of their plans because it sounds like he's looking to make his own decision in the near future.
If that type of blockbuster trade doesn't materialize, whether it's for Hellebuyck or another marquee player, the Kane sweepstakes will probably swing in the Blackhawks' favor.
Chicago could offer the franchise legend first-line minutes, and it'll probably be a one-year contract, giving him another change to hit the free-agent market next summer.
If Kane doesn't join the Sabres this offseason, the speculation will probably return in 2027, when Buffalo will have a little more roster flexibility.
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