I never thought Patrick Kane would waive his no-trade clause last year and let the Blackhawks trade him. The writing was all over the walls that Kane’s days in Chicago would be over sooner rather than later as his contract was expiring at the end of the 2022-23 season. Kane deserved the no-trade clause and the big contract that he did get from the team that drafted him. Kane had a say on where he wanted to go and that was the Big Apple with the Rangers. The Blackhawks could have gotten more, but in the entire hockey world there are only a few teams Kane would play for. The Blackhawks ended up getting something for one of the main cogs of the dynasty that helped the Indian sweater win three Stanley cups. Meanwhile the Rangers wanted a cup of their own and Kane would gladly return to his home state and give them a hand. Both parties were not happy with the results, as the Rangers and Kane were dispatched from the playoffs in the very first round. Kane is now available as a free agent to sign anywhere he wants. The Rangers have mixed feelings about a reunion with the former Blackhawks great, and the price tag may be too steep. What if Kane had a homecoming, stayed in the state of New York, and played for his home team, the Buffalo Sabres?

Last season, the Buffalo Sabres missed the post-season by one point in the standings. The Sabres have not been relevant in 16 seasons which is the last time they won a playoff series if you count this season as a success. The Sabres have the longest playoff drought in the NHL as it is now tallied up to 12 seasons. The number keeps going up as any business would like an increased number like this in days without injuries. The Sabres, and only the Vancouver Canucks. are the longest active teams in the NHL without winning a Stanley cup which now stands at 52 years. The Sabres fans witnessed one of their own guys, Jack Eichel, win his first cup with the Las Vegas Golden Knights. Eichel seems ecstatic to get out of the frozen waste land of NHL hockey in Buffalo, New York as he made his feelings known about his days playing for the Sabres organization and fans. Could a 34-year old right winger who is a 16 year veteran with three Stanley Cups under his belt be the answer to help Buffalo break their playoff drought?

Last year, Patrick Kane played in 73 regular season games scoring 21 goals while dishing out 36 assists for a grand total of 57 points. Kane played in 19 regular season games for the Rangers and scored 5 goals with 7 assists for 12 points. The playoffs is what the Rangers wanted Kane for ,as they had to work out multiple deals just to get the Blackhawks superstar on their roster. Kane played all 7 games of the series versus the New Jersey Devils who knocked out the Rangers in that first round of the playoffs. Kane would score one goal in seven games but did dish out 5 assists in that playoff series versus the Devils. Only team Kane knew, was the Chicago Blackhawks, the team that drafted him. Some experts will say it takes a player being on the team at the start of a season to get affiliated with their teammates and surroundings. That they’ll do that better than arriving in mid-season. Some players could play that rental player well while others do not do well in the quick change of uniform. Then they’re expected to lead the team to the promised land to a bunch of guys you may not know. Kane did have hip surgery when his season ended and is expected back by the time teams start to gear it up for the next season.

The Buffalo Sabres last year got by with a veteran goalie on his last legs, in Craig Anderson. Anderson did pretty good for a 42 year old in net for the Sabres. Last season, Eric Comrie only played in 19 games as he suffered an injury but will return next season. He went 9-9 as a starter for the Sabres in front of the net. The Sabres need to definitely improve their goalie situation. The Sabres have a nice core assembled with some talented 1& 2 skating lines. The Sabres top line features Jeff Skinner, Tage Thompson, and Alex Tuch. The Second Line can do some damage as well with Jack Quinn, Dylan Cozens, and JJ Peterka. Adding Patrick Kane gives this team a veteran presence like when the Blackhawks added Marion Hossa to the team with an abundance of younger talent that helped Chicago get over the hump and win three cups. Kane, a sure thing first ballot Hall of Famer, could spice up his late chapters of his hockey career. Patrick Kane still has a shot to score the most goals in the NHL by any American-born player. I imagine going back home to help his hometown team break a playoff drought would be something special for him and the city of Buffalo, his old stomping grounds. The 62 year old cab driver he helped his brother beat up over 20 cents, might not like the deal when Patrick was visiting Buffalo in the off-season. The rest of Buffalo should be reminded they do have a hockey team and could use a guy they know as they watched him play in their town for years. Kane could easily score his 500th goals in a Sabres uniform if he decides he needs and wants to suit up for the his home town team. Some players do not like playing in front of their home town team because of the pressure. Kane is able.