Patrick Kane and his surgically repaired hip are ready to get back on a sheet of NHL ice. Kane and the Detroit Red Wings agreed to a one-year $2.5 million deal early Tuesday morning.
The 34-year-old told the Associated Press in late August, “It’s just exciting to see progression and just feeling better on the ice,” Kane said by phone. “Kind of getting back to my old self, so it’s pretty exciting.”
If Kane can get anywhere near the ’15-’16 version of himself, in which he won The Hart, The Pearson, and The Ross trophies all in one year, the league might be in trouble. Patrick Kane is one of the silkiest players to ever come through the league and was the driving force in the Chicago Blackhawks’ reign of terror over the NHL in the early 2010s. Kane has a Conn Smyth and a Calder, was recognized as one of the NHL’s greatest 100 players, and has the second most points for a U.S.-born player (1327). With one of the most incredible resumes, the Red Wings could benefit immensely if he could recreate just a fraction of what he once was.
After undergoing Hip Resurfacing Surgery on June 1st, Kane spent the past month weighing his options. He chose the Red Wings over teams like The Rangers, Maple Leafs, Panthers, and Sabers. Kane’s goal was to go to a contending team and be able to help fight for another championship.
The three-time Stanley Cup Champion is coming off the worst season of his career. Kane still managed 73 games while gritting through his nagging hip injury but only managed 57 points. Although he played the majority for a Blackhawks team in the jaws of the rebuild monster, he didn’t play much better with the Rangers and didn’t look like himself in the playoffs. Which ultimately led to the decision to get surgery.
The Detroit Red Wings are finally reaching the end of their extensive time spent in a dark rebuild. After an impressive start to the ’23-’24 campaign, the Red Wings sit in third place in the loaded Atlantic Division and have improved their depth greatly with the signing of Kane. If the season ended after only 20 games, the Red Wings would have a spot in the dance for the first time since Pavel Dastuk wore the white and red.
The Red Wings haven’t finished above .500 since the year Kane led the league with 106 points (2015-2016). The Red Wings fans that are still around have been put through the wringer. During the slightly shortened ’19-’20 season, the original six team went 17-49, almost making it on the all-time leaderboard for the lowest win percentage in a season at .275.
But since the abysmal pre-covid season, the Red Wings have been making impressive strides, especially in the free agent market. Drafting Lucas Raymond was a big plus in the first round of the 2020 draft. Raymond finished 4th in Calder voting in his rookie season and currently has eight goals through the first 20 games. Detroit opened the window for themselves on July 1st. They signed J.T. Compher to a five-year $25 million deal and Shayne Gotisbehere to a one-year $4,125,000 contract. Both Compher and Gotisbehere complement the biggest signing of the offseason. The Red Wings landed the 25-year-old Alex DeBrincat on a four-year $30.5 million deal. DeBrincat was a former linemate with Kane in Chicago, and bringing the two back together will be incredible to watch. DeBrincat has 12 goals and 20 points through the first month of the season.
The restructuring of their roster has drastically changed their offense. Before this season, the Red Wings ranked in the gutters regarding Goals Per Game. They finished with a 2.77 in ’21 and a 2.89 in ’22. Through the first 20 games of the ’23 campaign, the Red Wings are a top-5 scoring team, averaging a goal more than last year, 3.70.
Now, with the addition of Patrick Kane’s hockey IQ and the possibility of a resurgence of one of the greatest hockey players of our generation. The Red Wings are becoming a team to fear going forward.
