Patrick Kane could be down to two teams, but how much will he help?

The only reason a Kane-Blackhawks reunion makes any sense is for sentimental purposes.

Kane spent the first 15-and-a-half years of his career in Chicago after being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 NHL Draft. He was one of the most productive players in franchise history, while also helping lead the team to three Stanley Cup championships in 2010, 2013 and 2015. 

While the Blackhawks do need more scoring help (and more help in general) to help get themselves out of this perpetual rebuild, Kane isn't likely to help move the needle much in that regard at this stage of his career. The Blackhawks are still one of the worst teams in hockey, and are set to open the 2026-27 season without their one star player (Connor Bedard) for at least a month (or more) as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery.

Is Kane going to be happy playing for a team that is not much of a threat to win anything, even with a past connection? Maybe at the start.

Is he going to get Chicago closer to playoff contention? No, he simply is not. They need way more help than a 38-year-old, one-dimensional forward can provide. 

While Kane has never played for the Sabres, he is actually from Buffalo and signing with the Sabres would be a different sort of homecoming. Buffalo figures to be a much better team than Chicago this season, has a need for some scoring depth after losing Alex Tuch in free agency, and could potentially give Kane the opportunity to play for a contender again.

But does that advance things for the Sabres?

And it's a relevant question to ask because a move like this has to actually have some hockey merit and not just be a PR story. 

At this stage of his career, Kane is a wildly one-dimensional player who is not going to provide anything of value defensively and provide only marginal value during 5-on-5 play in terms of driving possession and controlling the game. His biggest value is on the power play, where Buffalo could absolutely use some help after finishing 21st in the NHL in power play success rate a year ago. 

On a cheap, one-year deal, it's definitely something that could make some sense for both player and team. It certainly makes more sense than a return to Chicago.