Insider Shares Information Regarding Patrick Kane And His Decision Not to Play in The Western Conference

Patrick Kane, after undergoing hip resurfacing surgery, has dedicated the past six months to recovery and rehabilitation.

He has been actively skating in Oakville, Ontario, and is now poised to sign a new contract, indicating his readiness to return to NHL action.

Kane, in consultation with his agent, has been evaluating his options and has reportedly met with several teams. His discussions have included the Florida Panthers, Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Avalanche, among others.

Notably, most of these teams are from the Eastern Conference, a choice that NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman suggests is intentional.

Kane's hesitation about playing for a Western Conference team is tied to concerns about the extensive travel and its impact on his recovery from hip surgery.

This concern is seen as reasonable, especially considering John Klingberg's similar issues with a hip injury being aggravated by long flights.

Despite his injury, Kane managed to score 21 goals and 36 assists in 72 games last season, playing for both the Chicago Blackhawks and New York Rangers.

His potential to contribute significantly is evident, but there are concerns, as seen in the case of Nicklas Backstrom of the Washington Capitals, who experienced a decline after a similar surgery.

As Kane nears his decision, there is hope that he will be able to return to the high level of play he is known for, overcoming the challenges posed by his injury and surgery.

As Read on BladeofSteel - Insider reveals the reason Patrick Kane doesn't want to play in the Western Conference