“I believe Casey DeSmith is almost certainly going to stay with the team. He has a solid connection with the management team, particularly with Jim Rutherford and Patrik Allvin, who are familiar with his capabilities from their time in Pittsburgh. This familiarity is crucial for team dynamics and performance. Whether or not Rick Tocchet was involved during DeSmith’s previous tenure doesn’t change the fact that the team values his presence, which is evident in their decision to acquire him. However, this could open the door for Spencer Martin’s availability in trade discussions. In the upcoming days, I anticipate several teams will be seeking to offload third-string goalies as they prepare for potential waivers.”

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Patrick Kane’s Rehabilitation Progress and Future Team Discussions Timeline

TSN: Darren Dreger reports that Patrick Kane is currently four months into his rehabilitation process, which was projected to take between four to six months. He has been diligently working both on and off the ice around the Greater Toronto Area, focusing on regaining his strength and agility.

“While there has been significant interest from various teams, facilitated by his agent Pat Brisson who is fielding inquiries for more detailed medical updates, it appears that Patrick Kane will not be in a position to meet with interested teams until mid-to-late October. This timeline suggests that there is still considerable work to be done in his recovery before he can participate in negotiations.”

Chris Johnston further elaborates that many teams vying to sign Kane are currently at or near the salary cap ceiling or are utilizing Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR). Approximately two-thirds of the league finds themselves in such a situation, complicating potential signings. It’s worth noting that Kane is approaching the threshold of being a 35+ player, which adds another layer of complexity to negotiations.

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“Given the current financial landscape, offering a signing bonus could significantly impact a team’s salary cap hit in the first year. Therefore, it may ultimately come down to a team that experiences an injury in October or those few that currently have some cap flexibility available.”