Detroit Red Wings' free agent being targeted by Canadian team

Showtime has plenty of fight left in him. He tallied 59 points this season, only a year after returning from a hip surgery that has displaced a few NHLers from their careers.

After his 21-goal campaign, the Red Wings will have to figure out how to fit Kane under their salary cap and keep him from other suitors. It's been reported that one Canadian NHL team has its sights set on Kane.

Which is GM Brad Treliving and the Toronto Maple Leafs, who lacked the fortitude to be able to finish their series against the Panthers.

Kane could be a great reinforcement for a team that doesn't have the fight when the time calls for it.

With Mitch Marner's obvious pivot to test free agency, Treliving will have cap space to sign role players who could upgrade the lineup.

Kane could be one.

Kane could be a great addition, not only as someone who influenced Auston Matthews as a player, but as a "role player" who could up the ante when the time calls for it.

It's been quite a while since Kane has seen significant postseason play, and most recently it was with the New York Rangers.

This could legitimately give Kane another chance at a cup run before he contemplates retirement, and would provide leadership that the Maple Leafs locker room may be lacking.

Kane may have to accept a shorter-term contract due to age and the Maple Leafs' cap structure. He could end up asking for $5.5 million AAV, after coming off his $4 million deal in Detroit.

He could easily upgrade the Maple Leafs' top line with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies.

Which means, Steve Yzerman has to either tie Patrick Kane down with a new deal soon, or watch him walk to a divisional rival in free agency.