The Daily: Can Sharks Help Patrick Kane?; Larkin Leadership

If you are thinking one of the teams with cap space is going to sign Patrick Kane and then deal him, retaining salary, to a capped-out team, think again. San Jose Mercury News writer Curtis Pashelka , thinking the San Jose Sharks could pull that off, raised that hypothetical with NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly.

He shot it down the idea because views it as cap circumvention.

Of course, the Sharks or any team with cap space can still help a team acquire Kane by taking players to help them lower their salary cap position. The Sharks have $2.7 million in salary cap space.

This is all relevant this week because Patrick Kane is talking with teams about signing. He has been recovering from a hip surgery, but is close to being ready. The Detroit Red Wings are one of the teams interested. They currently have more than $6 million in cap space, according to cap space.  However, the Florida Panthers, considered a prime contender, only has about $1.66 million in cap space.

The variable in this question is how much Kane wants to sign. If he is will to sign for a lower amount, the salary cap situation may not be an issue. But the more he wants, the bigger a problem it is for the Panthers.

Red Wings in Case You Missed

• Captain Dylan Larkin challenged Detroit players in Sweden to figure out what kind of team the Red Wings can be. Since then, Detroit is 3-0.
• David Perron scored a milestone goal in the Red Wings’ 4-1 win against the Minnesota Wild.
• Red Wings prospect Axel Sandin Pellikka is on a record scoring pace in the Swedish Hockey League.
• Detroit coaches certainly don’t rank their goalies, but for now Husso is the starter, Alex Lyon is No. 2 and Reimer is No. 3.

Trevor Thompson spoke with Red Wings forward David Perron, who scored his 299th and 300th career goals, both on the power play, in the team's 4-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild.#LGRW pic.twitter.com/7Q86eZrkUY

— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) November 26, 2023

Red Wings Next Game

Coach Derek Lalonde gave his players Monday off. The Red Wings’ next game is Wednesday against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. The Red Wings (11-6-3)  lost a 5-3 decision to the Rangers at MSG on Nov. 7. Ville Husso was in goal for that game.  The Rangers (15-3-1) are the NHL’s hottest team: They are 8-1-1 in their last 10. New York beat the Bruins 7-4 Saturday night.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Mick Colageo writes that the Boston Bruins have sprung some leaks in back-to-back losses to the Red Wings and Rangers.

Calgary: Former GM Brad Treliving almost united the Tanev brothers when he was Treliving was with the Calgary Flames.  Calgary Hockey Now has the details.

Chicago: Nate Brown offers that the Chicago Blackhawks have been “consistently inconsistent” this season. After impressively taking down the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Blackhawks could not repeat that effort against the St. Louis Blues.

Florida: Panthers coach Paul Maurice still claiming some of the blame for the Florida Panthers’ loss to the Winnipeg Jets.

New Jersey: Former Red Wings defenseman Brendan Smith is embracing a new role with the New Jersey Devils this season.

Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski’s blog looks at what to like and what to dislike about the Pittsburgh Penguins at this juncture of the season.