The Detroit Red Wings are expected to be one of the more active teams in the offseason, but they could lose a star player.
Although all reports have indicated Patrick Kane will re-sign with the Red Wings, one analyst disagrees. NHL analyst Matt Larkin of DailyFaceoff linked Kane to leaving Detroit for their rival Columbus Blue Jackets, in free agency.
The Blue Jackets appear to be entering a contention window as the likes of Adam Fantilli and Kirill Marchenko come into their own while blueliner Zach Werenski dominates in his peak years,” Larkin wrote. “They have more than $40 million in cap space to splash around this summer. Surely, GM Don Waddell will spend a lot of it on defensemen, a goalie upgrade and perhaps a marquee top-six forward.
“But if there’s enough money left over, Kane on a one- or two-year deal would make sense,” Larkin added. “He could augment the power play and provide a Hall of Fame on-ice mentor for nifty-mitted up-and-comers such as Kent Johnson. Kane shouldn’t be Columbus’ priority target, but he’d be a handy complementary addition.”
Kane is a future Hall of Famer as he helped the Chicago Blackhawks win three Stanley Cups. He was also named the MVP of the NHL in 2016 and is a nine-time NHL All-Star.
Kane completed a one-year, $4 million deal with the Red Wings.
Kane & Red Wings Have Mutual Interest in Extension
After the season ended, Kane revealed he wants to re-sign with the Red Wings.
“I think there’s definitely some mutual interest in coming back and continuing on here,” Kane said at locker cleanout day on April 19…
“With my age, and the one-year bonuses and kind of working that contract, I thought it worked well for both sides, you know?” Kane added. “I don’t know if that’s something we look at again. Or we’ll see how it all works out, but those are discussions that still have to be had.”
Kane has spent the last two years with the Red Wings and has become comfortable in Detroit. His family, including his young son, likes Detroit and the locker room, which could impact his decision.
Kane recorded 21 goals and 38 assists for 59 points in 72 games last season.
Red Wings Negotiation With Kane Could go Down to Wire
Although reports have indicated that Kane will re-sign with the Red Wings, no deal is done, and free agency opens up on July 1.
NHL insider Max Bultman of The Athletic thinks the Red Wings will get a deal done with Kane. However, Bultman says the negotiation is coming down to the wire.
“He may not be the first into board battles or take any shifts on the penalty kill. But Kane has become an important piece. And, letting him get away would create a big hole that Detroit would struggle to fill. Especially at the price he’s been playing for,” Bultman wrote.
“For that reason, and because of how good the role and fit have been for Kane, I continue to believe the two sides will find a way to stay together, just like they did last year,” Bultman added. “But that negotiation did go right to the buzzer, and it’s looking like this one could too.”
Kane has skated in 1302 games, recording 492 goals and 851 assists for 1343 points.
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