?Night Cap Recap ?
Patrick Kane signs with Detroit Red Wings #lgrw @FullPressNHL @FP_Coverage @myNHLTradeRumor
Thoughts: pic.twitter.com/vxiU2HNQY0
— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) November 28, 2023
One of the top free agents is finally off the board. The Watch is Over as to where Patrick Kane was going to sign and he ended up signing a one-year deal with the Detroit Red Wings. The deal is worth $2.75 million.
BREAKING: Patrick Kane has decided to join the Detroit Red Wings as he returns to the NHL following offseason hip surgery, per sources.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) November 28, 2023
Throughout the entire process, this was right on time as to when Kane was going to sign with a team. As it has been reported throughout the process, he was going to make a decision right before the calendar turned to December. If it was not for the Thanksgiving Holiday last week in the States, Kane would have made his decision sooner.
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As written on Full Press Hockey last week, the Detroit Red Wings were one of the teams on his list. The other teams that showed interest in him were the Buffalo Sabres, Florida Panthers, Dallas Stars, New York Rangers, and Toronto Maple Leafs.
We know there is a connection in Detroit for Patrick Kane. His former Chicago Blackhawks teammate Alex DeBrincat was just traded there and signed a new deal. Though Detroit hopes the chemistry between the two players comes back, Kane knows he will have to earn his ice time with this up-and-coming team.
Patrick Kane showed humility through the process – telling teams on Zooms: “I know I need to earn my spot,” & he doesn’t need to be on the first line or PP1, according to several sources.
In the end, I believe he narrowed his focus & was down to two Eastern Conference teams.
— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) November 28, 2023
In addition, Kane was also impressed during the meetings with head coach Derek Lalonde and the system he has in place.
Patrick Kane is signing with the Detroit Red Wings, per sources.
The 35-year-old is coming off hip resurfacing surgery.
After meeting with several teams, I’m told Kane was very impressed with Detroit’s coach Derek Lalonde X’s and O’s hockey acumen and vision for Detroit.
— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) November 28, 2023
Detroit currently sits in third place in the Atlantic Division. General Manager Steve Yzerman made several off-season moves to get this team in position to make the playoffs. Despite Yzerman saying this team is still rebuilding, they were one of three teams in the Atlantic that people were thinking could make the playoffs this season.
Remember, Kane is coming off-season hip resurfacing surgery. This hip injury hampered him last season with Chicago and at the end of the season with the New York Rangers.
There are still some concerns surrounding his hip injury and the surgery he had. While Kane has looked good in practice sessions while he continues to skate on his own, all eyes will be on what he looks like during real games. During this entire process, Patrick Kane wanted to be 100 percent healthy before making a decision.
Another factor in Kane’s signing with Detroit was travel. It is still in the Eastern Time Zone. There is not as much wear and tear on his body as if he had signed with a team in the Western Conference. Not to mention, he is used to the travel from the Midwest.
Patrick Kane is a three-time Stanley Cup Champion who has recorded 1237 points (451 goals and 786) in 1180 games played in the regular season. In playoffs, Kane has recorded 138 points (53 goals and 85 assists) in 143 games.
Detroit is in New York on Wednesday night and Patrick Kane could have his first game where he played his last in Madison Square Garden.