Red Wings Must Bring Back Kane

Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

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Rick Osentoski-Imagn ImagesRick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Really, if you’re the Detroit Red Wings, the issue is no longer up for debate.

They must bring Patrick Kane back next season.

Arguably, he’s been their best player since the NHL returned from its Olympic break. Kane finished the season by collecting 24 points (7-17-24) in Detroit’s last 20 games.

“Important piece,” was how Red Wings coach Todd McLellan described Kane’s contribution to the team this season.

“He and Cat (Alex DeBrincat) are leading the team [in 5-on-5 scoring] since the Olympic break. Just forget about anything in overtime, 3-on-3, or 4-on-4. They’re leading our team 5-on-5 scoring and plus-minus. They’ve been carrying us offensively. It’s not even close.

“So they’ve done a real good job. And I have to tip my hat to Patrick because he’s playing real well defensively, too. He’s trying to get it done.”

The same thing could also be said about the Red Wings and a new contract with Kane.

They need to get it done.

Kane Rejuvenated By Olympic Break

Certainly, there was a time earlier in this season when the question of bringing Kane back was a legitimate issue. He struggled with injury, and then with his level of play after returning to the lineup.

“Looking back on it, I had a good start,” Kane said. “With the injury, it kind of took me a little bit to find my game after that. I was playing well, and then I was injured again.

“So it kind of took me a little while to get back after that.”

Kane finished fourth on the team with 16 goals and fifth overall with 57 points, despite playing only 67 games.

“I thought I had a good finish to the season,” Kane said. “Happy with the way I finished, especially after the Olympic break. Felt really good. So, definitely feel like there’s gas still in the tank.”

McLellan thought the February break in the NHL schedule did rejuvenate the 37-year-old Kane, along with allowing his body to heal.

The coach also wondered if Kane’s pursuit of so many milestones this season weighed on his mind. He notched his 500th goal and 1,400th point this season, along with becoming the all-time scoring leader among American-born NHL players.

“Maybe hitting some milestones and just getting them out of the way, maybe that helped him as well,” McLellan said.

Does Kane Still Want To Play For Red Wings?

On a team that is relatively bereft of scoring in general, as well as 5-on-5 scoring, the Red Wings can ill-afford to allow right-winger Kane to walk on July 1 as a UFA.

Detroit finished 21st in the NHL in goals for (239) and 30th in the league in 5-on-5 goals (142).

Among Detroit’s five UFAs – Kane, James van Riemsdyk, David Perron, Cam Talbot, and Travis Hamonic – Kane is the only one they’ll seek to keep.

The only question left to answer at this point is whether Kane wants to stay with the Red Wings.

“Yeah, I haven’t really thought about it too much,” Kane said. “I’ll definitely be playing. I think there’s more in the tank, and I’m excited to see what level that can be at.

“So I’ll definitely be playing next year.”

Will it be in Detroit? For the Red Wings’ sake, they’d better hope so.

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