Patrick Kane Joins The Red Wings

by | Nov 28, 2023 | News, NHL, Rumors | 12 comments

TSN’s Chris Johnston and Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman report Patrick Kane has decided to join the Detroit Red Wings for this season.

Free agent winger Patrick Kane (NHL Images).

Kane, 35, is completing rehab for a hip resurfacing procedure he underwent in June. He’s expected to return to action in December. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’ll have more details on this as they emerge. 

Writing for The Athletic: Johnston indicated it’s a one-year contract.

ESPN.com’s Emily Kaplan reports Kane is impressed by Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde’s hockey acumen and vision for Detroit.

**UPDATE**

TSN reports Kane’s contract will be worth $2.75 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Now that we know where Kane is going, the question now is how well he’ll be able to perform coming off hip resurfacing. He’ll be reunited with former Chicago Blackhawks linemate Alex DeBrincat. Whether or not the two will play on the same line in Detroit remains to be seen. 

Kane enjoyed a long, productive career with the Blackhawks that has ensured his place as a future first-ballot Hall-of-Famer. However, he’s now 35 and is coming off a significant procedure that could adversely affect his performance.

He’ll bring plenty of leadership and playoff experience to a Red Wings roster hoping to finally emerge from years of rebuilding into a postseason contender.

Nevertheless, it’s what Kane can contribute on the ice that will determine if he’s a suitable addition to the Wings. It will also decide whether he can continue his playing career. 







12 Comments

  1. Oh boy…. Why, Stevie Y?

    • To. Help. The. Team.

      An injured Kane had 57 points in 73 games last year (.78 p/g) and 6 in 7 playoff games.

      There’s basically no risk the signing and potentially a big reward.

      ANY decent GM would do this deal every single day and thrice on Sunday.

      • No, they wouldn’t. Otherwise you’d have seen even more than the ridiculous 2.75 million and maybe some term. Completely unnecessary signing. Let’s see how many games before he’s on IR.

  2. Vision for Detroit? It’s a long term vision which has barely gotten off the ground. How line does Kane think he’ll be sticking around there?

    • Ya, it does seem a little strange SOG and Howard, although the Wings are off to a good start.
      Will wait and see what the terms and $$ are before I question Yzerman too much.

    • Perhaps the answer is that there wasn’t as much real interest as Kane’s agent was saying there was. Other GMs surely have access to more information about Kane’s prognosis than those of us here, and most posts I read expressed reservation.

      Remember Brisson’s film flam Sebastian Aho wants to sign an offer sheet statement?

  3. But Sprong has #88!!!🤣

    • I would like to see Kane take #66. And that would give the games vs the Pens so much more interesting!!!😉

  4. 1 year 2.75 million

  5. 2,75 million and a bad hip that has a history of players not being able to play worth a damn after the fix. The good news is we don’t don’t have to read where a 35-year-old with a bad hip is going anymore

  6. Low risk, high reward.

  7. This could be a brilliant move by both Detroit AND Kane. Possible scenarios:

    * Kane is unable to play well, then no harm no foul – no commitment long term.

    * Kane plays reasonably well or lights it up and helps Detroit make the playoffs. Helps the younger kids get some experience.

    * Kane plays reasonably well OR lights it up and Detroit does NOT make the playoffs. The Red Wings deal Kane to a contender for picks/assets at the TDL.

    Other than the $$ in option one – I don’t see how ANY of these scenarios works out poorly for the Red Wing OR Kane.