Patrick Kane, one of the greatest American-born players in NHL history, has signed with the Detroit Red Wings after months of speculation, following his hip resurfacing surgery after the 2022-23 season.
‣ Patrick Kane, one of the greatest American-born players in NHL history, is signing with the Detroit Red Wings. He has not played since the New York Rangers were eliminated in the Metropolitan Division semifinal last year due to a hip injury.
‣ Kane has amassed 1,237 points in 1,180 regular-season games, ranking second among all players born in the United States. He will join former Blackhawks teammate Alex DeBrincat in the Red Wings.
‣ Kane will be a significant addition to the Red Wings power play, which currently ranks ninth in the league. His presence is expected to enhance the team’s performance and strike fear in opposing penalty killers.
The rumors are over. One of America’s greatest NHL stars, Patrick Kane, has a new team. On Tuesday, multiple sources confirmed the unrestricted free agent is joining the Detroit Red Wings.
Kane has been out of the game since the New York Rangers lost to the New Jersey Devils last April. He’s 35 and chose to undergo hip resurfacing surgery after the season. The surgery was to fix a persistent injury that bothered him throughout the 2022-23 season.
The Red Wings weren’t the only team interested in the former Chicago Blackhawk. The Florida Panthers, a division rival, were also in the mix. Kane has an impressive record. In 1,180 regular-season games, he’s scored 1,237 points. That’s second among all U.S.-born players. He’s just behind Hall-of-Famer Mike Modano, who ended his career with 1,374 points in 1,499 games.
The details of Kane’s contract are still under wraps. He’ll be joining former Blackhawks teammate Alex DeBrincat, who’s doing well with his hometown team. DeBrincat’s been averaging a point a game in 20 matches. Kane’s addition to the Wings power play will be a big boost.
Currently, the Red Wings are ninth in the league. They operate at 22.4% with the man advantage. David Perron and Dylan Larkin each have four goals on the PP. Kane will likely be positioned on the right side of a unit including DeBrincat, Larkin, Perron, and Moritz Seider. This group will certainly intimidate opposing penalty killers.
This isn’t the first time a beloved Blackhawk has moved to the Motor City. Chris Chelios, the longtime captain, was traded to the Wings in 1999. He helped lift Lord Stanley three years later. Fans in Hockeytown are hoping Kane can make a similar impact with the team’s rising stars.
