Signing of Patrick Kane: Kent Hughes and the Canadiens could very well be involved

Patrick Kane is recovering from hip surgery, and the forward seems very close to making a return to the game. He is currently negotiating his next contract with several teams.

According to Elliotte Friedman, the Panthers are very aggressive in this matter and would like to reach an agreement with the star forward. However, once Aaron Ekblad returns to play, their salary cap flexibility will be limited.

This is where the Canadiens could come into play. Obviously, there isn't much chance that the Habs will sign Kane, as they are in a rebuilding phase. However, Kent Hughes has a little over 5 million in cap space that he can spend to help a team like the Panthers while acquiring a significant asset.

Whether it's the Panthers or another team, one thing is certain: signing Kane will be challenging given the salary cap. The player perceived as the greatest American forward in history probably won't sign at a discount, and he will aim for a team with a chance to go all the way.