Honestly, I was sick of hearing about Kane at the TDL last year.
Now I've got to keep hearing about him until he does/doesn't come back sometime next year too?
Can't stand the guy, he's a shadow of his former self, and I can't wait for that guy to decide to retire.
So tired of hearing his name, and I still laugh at the picks and prospects that were thrown around at last years TDL where it was always the Leafs having to pay a premium to get Kane to come over.
Woof.
Toronto is the biggest market, so media get the most hits bringing up Toronto as a destination for any name. We really don't have any cap space, and I doubt Kane is looking for a Spezza contract at this point, so to me, it seems that we aren't a good match. That being said, not many teams do have the cap room for even a $4-5 mil addition mid season, barring one of their top wingers going to LTIR for the season. Kane is 34, and had surgery to his hips, so it's hard to say what he's going to be capable of, upon return. The year before last, he put up 92 points... Was last years "decline" because of the need for surgery, or actual decline? I'm not exactly a Kane fan either, but if he does recover to skate like he did before the injury/surgery, and he is willing to sign for near league minimum... for one year, to earn a longer term contract after proving he's still got it... we aren't a bad place... It's also hard to deny.. that a lineup like this below, isn't pretty deadly...
Bertuzzi Matthews Nylander
Knies Tavares Marner
Jarnkrok/Robertson Domi Kane
Defensive shut down Kampf Lafferty
Having three lines that are that kind of offensive threat would be pretty deadly, you have to admit. I mean, I highly doubt it happens... but it would be good.
I believe it was Jeff Marek discussing it on the 32 thoughts podcast.
I saw something about it in on NHL Rumours too, when I looked.... so, yes it's a rumour... that much is true. Who knows with any rumour, if there is any reality. The cap doesn't look like it works, Byram is a bad risk with all of his injuries... It just doesn't really work for either team IMO... I think we'd aim higher in player quality, if we did a Nylander for D deal.