Patrick Kane and Todd McLellan are no longer moving in the same direction after Detroit's season ended.
That much is clear now. Kane is still unsigned, and the latest chatter has his decision down to two teams: the Buffalo Sabres or the Chicago Blackhawks.
That shifts the story away from Detroit and right onto Kane's next move.
This is no longer about whether he can still help a contender. It's about where he wants the last stretch of his career to land.
Kane still produced last season. He finished with 16 goals and 57 points in 67 games, which is real top-six offense for a 37-year-old winger.
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Detroit had reasons to keep listening. The Red Wings finished 41-31-10, missed the playoffs, and did not have enough offense late in the year.
Kane also remained a useful power-play piece and one of the few Red Wings forwards who could slow a shift down and make a clean play under pressure.
Why Buffalo and Chicago make the most sense for Patrick Kane
Buffalo gives Kane the hometown angle and the better team context. The Sabres finished 50-23-9, good for 109 points, and they look much closer to meaningful spring hockey.
That matters at this stage. Kane does not need a long runway anymore. He needs a club that can hand him offensive minutes and a real shot at playing games with weight.
Chicago offers something Buffalo cannot match: history. Kane is still one of the biggest names the Blackhawks have ever had, and a return would carry instant heat.
But the hockey fit is different there. The Blackhawks finished 29-39-14, so that path looks more sentimental than competitive.
That is why Buffalo feels like the sharper hockey choice, while Chicago feels like the bigger emotional swing.
Either way, Kane's decision will land hard. One team gets a proven winger who can still help on the power play. The other gets left chasing the next option on a thin market.
Should Patrick Kane choose Buffalo over Chicago?
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