Patrick Kane Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

Patrick Kane's hip could sink his free-agent appeal

Originally posted on Daily Faceoff | By Anthony Trudeau | Last updated 6/16/23

Patrick Kane went through last season as one of the most sought-after rental pending unrestricted free agents before his trade to the New York Rangers. His value is not the same this summer, though, thanks to a hip surgery that typically comes with a long, arduous rehab process. Teams are wary of Kane, and on Friday’s edition of "Daily Faceoff Live," hosts Frank Seravalli and Mike McKenna discussed the veteran playmaker’s options.

Frank Seravalli: Just from talking to some teams around the league, Mike, they were really surprised at the surgery path Patrick Kane went down. He had his hip resurfaced. You saw Capitals GM Brian MacLellan talk with Nicklas Backstrom about it. He can’t move; he can’t play. He’s not NHL-ready right now.

We’ve heard Patrick Kane’s camp saying that he’s getting this major surgery to bounce back and rejuvenate his career, but a lot of teams see it as a potential career-ender. Instead of fixing injury concerns, it may have caused more question marks. It’s an ugly, labor-intensive rehab. No one is questioning Pat Kane’s desire and love of the game, but he was a shell of himself in that first-round series for the New York Rangers.

Clearly the hip is an issue, and my thoughts are that if there was one team that would go out on a limb to sign Patrick Kane sight unseen this summer, it would be the Buffalo Sabres, his hometown team. Maybe they will throw a couple million bucks at him because they have tons of cap space. Other than that, I think Patrick Kane would have to look at teams off to a great start in November and December and chase a Stanley Cup there.

Even then, teams will want to see him skate before they commit to him. If he does wait that long, teams will have already spent 96% of their available dollars, and that probably means Kane will be looking at a short-term deal to re-establish himself in the NHL. It’s a long road ahead, Mike.

Mike McKenna: The bottom line is that no one has had hip resurfacing surgery and came back at the same level. [Ryan] Kesler didn’t even play, and Backstrom has not been the same. Huge question marks, and right now teams are going to have to see Kane to believe him.

You can watch the entire episode here…