Insider reveals the reason Patrick Kane doesn't want to play in the Western Conference

Patrick Kane appears days away from making a decision on where he will play next season. After undergoing hip resurfacing surgery, Kane has spent the last six months recovering and working his way back. Kane has been skating in Oakville, Ontario and is finally ready to sign a new contract.

Kane has spent the last few weeks discussing options with his agent and has reportedly narrowed the field. Kane has reportedly already met with the Florida Panthers, Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Avalanche and a few other teams. The list of teams features a very heavy load of Eastern Conference teams, something that according to NHL Insider, Elliotte Friedman is by design.

According to Friedman, Kane has concerns about potentially playing on the West Coast due to the additional travel.





Recently it was reported that John Klingberg had his nagging hip injury exacerbated by the long flight to Sweden, so concerns about travel can be justified. With Kane returning from a hip injury, the thought of multiple long trips combined with altitude changes could provide additional challenges for the veteran.

Last season despite his injury Kane scored 21 goals and 36 assists in 72 games spent between the Chicago Blackhawks and New York Rangers. If Kane could replicate those numbers he could provide great depth scoring, however, Kane's injury doesn't come without challenges. Washington Capitals Nicklas Backstrom underwent a similar surgery and has never been the same since.

Hopefully for Kane he is able to return at the level that everyone knows he is capable of playing at.