Report: Sabres, Panthers among teams interested in Kane

The Buffalo Sabres and Florida Panthers are among the teams interested in signing free-agent forward Patrick Kane, reports The Athletic's Chris Johnston.

Kane is still rehabbing from offseason hip resurfacing surgery. He's likely to wait until early November before seriously considering potential suitors, Johnston adds.

The Sabres boast one of the league's most dangerous attacks and have $8.8 million in cap space to accommodate any sort of potential deal for Kane, who was born and raised in Buffalo.

The Panthers' cap situation is much more complex. Florida is currently above the $83.5-million limit but has approximately $6 million in flexibility with Aaron Ekblad on long-term injured reserve. The star defenseman is expected to be available to play again in December.

Kane was expected to be one of this past summer's marquee unrestricted free agents but was given a four-to-six-month recovery timeline after surgery in June. The soon-to-be 35-year-old managed 57 points split between the Chicago Blackhawks and New York Rangers last season, his 16th in the NHL.