LATEST | Patrick Kane's status for next season unclear: Career-altering intervention

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Cooper Godin
June 1, 2023 (3:06 PM)

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It's been known that unrestricted free agent forward Patrick Kane has been dealing with hip issues for quite a while now. He finally underwent major surgery this week and his status for next season is unclear.

According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, Kane underwent hip resurfacing on Thursday and will likely miss the next four-to-six months.

"Patrick Kane's representative, Pat Brisson, says Kane had a hip resurfacing today under Dr. Edwin Su. As is normal, follow-ups are planned, but roughly 4-6 months recovery is expected. Brisson says Kane 'wants to play for a long time,' and doctors are optimistic that will happen." Friedman said in a tweet.

Kane, 34, is set to hit unrestricted free agency for the first time in his 16-year NHL career after finishing the 2022-23 season with the New York Rangers. He was traded to the Rangers in February after spending the previous 15+ seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Buffalo native's time with the Rangers wasn't horrible, but wasn't as great as many had expected. In 19 regular season games, Kane had 12 points and added six during seven games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It was clear at times that Kane was struggling with his hip issue and now was finally able to get it dealt with.

It'll be interesting to see what happens on the opening days of free agency in July. We all know what Patrick Kane is capable of and there will be no shortage of teams interested in his services, but there very well could be some teams that will now back off following the news of this major surgery.

In 1,180 regular season games in the NHL, Patrick Kane has 1,237 points, along with 138 points in 143 Stanley Cup Playoff games. As a member of the Blackhawks, Kane lifted the Stanley Cup three times.