Patrick Kane to the Toronto Maple Leafs?

Former NHLer and current TSN personality Dave Poulin was speaking recently on Toronto's TSN 1050 radio station, emphasized that if Kane's hip condition is resolved as expected, the Maple Leafs will be at the forefront of potential suitors.

The 34 year old put up 16 goals and 45 points in 54 games with Chicago. He was moved to the New York Rangers in a deadline trade. Kane was not at 100% but sill managed 5 goals and 12 points in 19 regular season games. He added 1 goal and 6 points in the Rangers seven game series against the New Jersey Devils.

How can a team that's almost $3M over the cap (Cap with LTIR candidates) afford to fit Kane in? The answer would be how they could possibly structure Kane's next contract.

Kane turns 35 on November 19. This is important because he will be eligible to sign a 35+ contract. This would make him eligible for performance bonuses instead of a set salary. So, if the Leafs signed him for a league minimum deal worth $775,000 for the season but set a bonus of $1 million for making the playoffs, he could make $1.775 million for the year. They could apply multiple bonuses so that the total gets larger.

Bonuses carry over to the following season in the form of overages if a team cannot fit them in under the salary cap. It could be worth the squeeze when looking at the potential of a Kane, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner line.

Kane has estimated career earnings of $115,637,195 per cap friendly. He has won three Stanley Cups, a Conn Smythe Trophy, the Hart Memorial Trophy and an Art Ross Trophy. He is a sure fire Hall of Famer when his time comes. What is left to prove for Kane?

Imaging two of the best American born players to ever play the game on the same line? It might just be enough for Maple Leaf fans to stop wishing the regular season away.