The Detroit Red Wings have scored five or more goals 21 times this season. That’s why it’s maddening that they are averaging 1.75 goals per game in their eight-game road losing streak.

They desperately need to end that skid Saturday afternoon when they play the Florida Panthers. They trail the Washington Capitals by two points in the race for the final Eastern Conference wildcard. The Caps have one game in hand.

The race is still too close to call. But counting the Saturday contest, the Red Wings only have nine games remaining this season.  They are running out of runaway to land this playoff spot.

Game Time

Saturday: Red Wings at Florida

Where: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, Fla.

TV/RADIO: Bally Sports/97.1 FM

Time: 12:30 p.m.

Red Wings Preview

Alex Lyon is starting in net for Detroit. He hasn’t won a game since Feb. 27. He is 0-8-1 since then. In that stretch, he has surrendered four or more goals seven times. Six of the road losses in the road losing streak belong to him…Patrick Kane may not play Saturday for the second consecutive game because has the flu going around the Red Wings dressing room. Austin Czarnik is also ill. …The Red Wings are 0-2-1 after three games of the current road trip…Alex DeBrincat and J.T. Compher both have one goal in his past 14 games. Detroit is 3-10-1 in those games.

Panthers Preview

The Panthers are 2-1 against Detroit this season. Sergei Bobrovsky has given up three or four goals in six consecutive starts for the Panthers. Florida isn’t performing as well as the team did earlier in the season. The Panthers are 1-5-1 in their last seven.  But Florida leads the NHL with a team goals-against average of 2.44. Compare that to Detroit’s team GAA of 3.34. That ranks 26th in the league.  The Panthers are currently 13th in scoring. Florida’s scoring depth is impressive: Sam Reinhart (51 goals), Aleksander Barkov (67 points in 64 games) and Matthew Tkachuk (79 goals in 72 games) are on three different lines.

The post Red Wings vs. Panthers: Lines, Notes & How to Watch appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Detroit Red Wings fans awoke this morning in the worst possible of moods for a sports fan base. Excitement has long since evaporated. While there are pockets of anger visible, for the most part, even this trait is fading.

Hopelessness, despair, and perhaps worst of all, acceptance, are the emotions of the day most evident among the Hockeytown faithful.

“Playoff chances are long gone,” read Red Wings fan Ronnie White’s post on Facebook.

Long gone? Really?

Look, we get the angst you’re feeling. It’s understandable. This is not a group with a track record of getting things done in the clutch.

Detroit is 0-2-1 so far on this season-long five-game road trip. The Red Wings squandered a third-period lead and lost 4-3 in overtime at Washington. They failed to score in the other two games. And they’ve surrendered eight goals over the past two setbacks.

“Damn, I miss Jonathan Ericsson on the blueline,” posted Red Wings Brasil on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter. “Yep. That’s where we’re at.

Damn, I miss Johnathan Ericsson on the blueline.
Yep. That's where we are at.#LGRW#RedWings

— Red Wings Brasil (@RedWingsBR) March 29, 2024

Looking ahead to games against the Florida Panthers (Saturday, 12:30 p.m.) and Tampa Bay Lightning (Monday, 7 p.m.), the horizon certainly does appear to be offering nothing but bleakness.

“It puts a lot of pressure on us,” Red Wings forward Christian Fischer admitted to Bally Sports Detroit. “Tampa and Florida coming up are two really good teams, playoff teams.”

That’s why you all need to step back and encompass the bigger picture. Both Washington and Philadelphia also lost Thursday night.

Over? No, it isn’t over. Detroit is only two points in arrears to the Capitals. One Red Wings win, coupled with a Washington loss, and the fellows with the winged wheel on their chests are back in the playoff picture.

Red Wings Still In With A Chance

What we’re saying, in the immortal words of Lloyd Christmas, is that there’s still a chance. And unlike his dream of dating Lauren Holly’s character in Dumb And Dumber, in this instance, that chance holds some vailidity.

Don’t take our word for it, though. Listen to what Red Wings supporter Justin Madden posted to the Detroit Red Wings true fan page on Facebook.

“We are not the only team with a tough schedule,” Madden noted. “The Caps don’t have it easy, either. People need to chill out.”

Look, we’re not here trying to sugarcoat things.

“We’ve had some pretty good moments in this stretch,” Detroit coach Derek Lalonde said. “Unfortunately, we’re 1-2-1 in our last four.”

Is it bad right now? For sure.

The thing is, it really could be a whole lot worse. So there’s that.

The post Red Wings Faithful Sure That Sky is Falling appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

DETROIT — Washington Capitals coach Spencer Carbery said earlier this week that he believed the Red Wings were “as good as anyone in the National Hockey League.”

Whether that’s true or not, the Red Wings were not as good as the Florida Panthers on Saturday afternoon at Little Caesars. The Panthers went 2-for-5 on the power play, blanked Detroit on five PP chances, out-shot Derek Lalonde’s team 37 to 21, out-hit the Red Wings 39 to 26 and posted a 4-0 shutout over the Red Wings.

What the Panthers did was show Detroit fans how they’ve been able to win 14 of their last 16 games to become the No. 1 team in the NHL standings.

“You saw them in the playoffs last year, they can suffocate you,” Detroit forward Andrew Copp said. “Their goalie (Sergei Bobrovsky) is good, they got big D, tough to get to the front of the net on. That’s when they’re successful.”

The Panthers have beaten the Red Wings six consecutive times in Detroit since 2021. In that span, the Red Wings have never scored more than two goals in any of those losses. The Panthers now have two consecutive shutouts over the Red Wings at Little Caesars

“They’re getting dialed in.” Lalonde said. “That team, if they win the Stanley Cup, I would not be surprised. In my mind they are the hands-down favorite. But they’re playing at a high level now. They’re tuning up to get their game in order, so you’re gonna get their best and we did. That’s my point of everyone’s elevating. We have to have it also.”

Lalonde called it a “measuring stick” game and “we weren’t there.

“(But) We had some moments, we had a chance,” Lalonde said. “If maybe we could’ve found that first goal on a power play, or if Patty (Kane) finishes one of his two breakaways, it might be different. But that’s a pretty good team that was clicking today and they were better than us.”

The Florida Panthers had six skaters on the ice during the second period of Saturday's game against the Detroit Red Wings, somehow avoiding detection by the on-ice officials. pic.twitter.com/3PpvZOitQT

— Scouting The Refs (@ScoutingTheRefs) March 2, 2024

Kane Streak Halted

Patrick Kane‘s 10-game point scoring streak was a casualty of the Sergei Bobrovsky shutout.  It’s not as if Kane didn’t have chances.

He was thwarted on two breakaways. Even in the midst of heavy pressure by the Panthers, the Red Wings felt like they had scoring opportunities.

“There’s chances all over the ice,” Copp said. “Especially early, Mo hit a crossbar, I think first shift. Getting the first goal in these types of games are really important. Then you can kind of dictate the play. Obviously didn’t get the first but as soon as that second one went in, I felt they were starting to feel it and we maybe lost our emotions.”

Ice Chips

The Red Wings won’t practice Sunday, but will have two practices before starting a four-game road trip Wednesday in Colorado…Copp’s assessment of what happened to the Red Wings against the Panthers: “Their forecheck is good, very good. Their power play is very good, and I think we lost our heads a little bit during some of those scrums, so always get the extra pretty much every time and can’t do that against a team like that.”…After this game, the Red Wings still owned the first wild card spot in the Eastern and had a seven-point lead over Washington and an eight-point lead over the Devils and Islanders.

The post Red Wings Notebook: Lalonde: ‘Everyone is elevating…We Have to Also’ appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

The Red Wings are on quite the upswing these days.

They’re making a serious run at the playoffs for the first time since moving to Little Caesars Arena seven years ago. They have won five in a row going into tonight’s game against Washington. They have two overtime wins in those five wins. The Red Wings have given up just seven goals during the streak.  Patrick Kane owns an eight-game points streak that includes five goals and 13 points

This could be a key week for the Red Wings, who are home to Washington, the New York Islanders and Florida Panthers.

It’s a chance for the Red Wings to put more distance between themselves and two of their pursuers in the Eastern Conference.

The Wings are seven points ahead of the Capitals and eight ahead of the Islanders, and every point counts as the season heads into the home stretch. Wins against both of those teams would clearly put Detroit in command of one of the wild card positions.

“We’re in a stretch of playing some really good hockey,” coach Derek Lalonde said after Sunday’s overtime win in Chicago. “When you’re peaking in your game,  take advantage of it, and we’re doing that right now.”

Red Wings Begin Challenging Week

Detroit plays host to a Washington team that is surging in part due to the renaissance of Anthony Mantha. He has been a disappointment with the Capitals since being traded there during the 2020-21 season.

However, this season, he has 18 goals, the most since his last full season in Detroit, and is a top-six forward with the Caps.

The Islanders, who visit on Thursday, have  been sputtering on offense all season. Their struggles cost former Red Wings player Lane Lambert his job as coach last month. New coach Patrick Roy has juggled his lineup in an attempt to inject some life into the offense.

Putting distance between themselves and these two pursuers should give the Wings a lift going into Saturday’s home game with Florida.

The Wings are just four points behind both Carolina and Toronto.

With 24 games remaining, the tightness of the Eastern Conference race will keep Detroit players on their toes down the stretch. Wins this week will go a long way toward ending the Red Wings’ playoff drought.

The post Red Wings Can Give Themselves Breathing Room This Week appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Things couldn’t be going much better for the Detroit Red Wings on their current road trip. They staged third-period rallies to win a pair of games against Atlantic Division rivals – 4-2 at Toronto and 3-2 in overtime at Florida. The outcomes moved Detroit into third place in the division, one point ahead of the Maple Leafs and seven points back of the second-place Panthers.

“Huge first two games of this road trip for us,” Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin told Bally Sports Detroit.

Practice day in Carolina.#LGRW pic.twitter.com/393UAXVhZK

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 18, 2024

In Carolina for a Friday matchup with the Hurricanes, the Red Wings are also in position to achieve an accomplishment not seen by this franchise in more than a decade. They could be extending their road winning streak to six games.

Prior to the two wins on this trip, the Red Wings went 3-0 on their California swing. There was a 5-3 victory at San Jose followed by a 4-3 shootout win at Los Angeles and and 3-2 success at Anaheim. It was the first time since 2008 that Detroit was sweeping the club’s California swing.

“For sure, it feels good, but it doesn’t come for free,” Red Wings goalie Alex Lyon said of the club’s recent road success. “If you take it for granted and the second you start to think there’s momentum that’s going to build on itself, that’s when it’s going to go back the other way.

“We just have to continue to stay on the details and move forward. We got another huge game in a very tough building in two days.”

The current five-game road winning streak was previously most recently achieved in March of 2013. That stretch started with a 3-2 OT decision at Edmonton. Next was a 5-2 victory at Vancouver, followed by successive wins at Anaheim by 5-1 and 2-1 counts. The fifth triumph came in the form of a 3-2 verdict at Phoenix.

Red Wings Best Road Streak since 2011

You have to go back in the annals a total of 13 years to find a better Detroit road performance. Twice during the 2010-11 season, the Red Wings would post six successive road victories.

The more recent stretch was in February of 2011. It started with a 6-1 win at Boston. Next came a 6-2 victory over Tampa Bay and a 4-3 verdict at Florida. Then there back-to-back shootout verdicts – 2-1 at Buffalo and 3-2 at Minnesota. Finally, a 7-4 win at LA extended the streak to six road wins.

THAT'S GAME, BABY!#EasyToCelebrate | #LGRW pic.twitter.com/rLSbJc9Ru9

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 18, 2024

The prior streak took place in December of 2010 and January of 2011. There was a 4-1 win at Minnesota, followed a a 4-3 OT decision at Colorado. Then came a 7-3 win at Dallas, a 5-3 decision at Edmonton and successive shootout triumphs – 5-4 at Calgary and 2-1 Vancouver.

The club record for consecutive road wins is 12. That mark was set during the 2005-06 season, from March 1 through April 15.

The post Suddenly, Red Wings Are Road Warriors appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

One reason why the Detroit Red Wings signed Alex Lyon last summer was his strong showing for the Florida Panthers down the stretch last season. Lyon was a vital contributor for the Panthers when they were able to hold off the Red Wings and others for the final Eastern Conference wild card spot.

It will be a homecoming of sorts for Lyon tonight when he’s in net for the Red Wings against his former Florida mates.

Florida Hockey Now had this quote from Lyon about his return. “It’s cool,” he said. “I feel appreciative for my time here and excited just excited to play here. It’s a great building. They have very good top-end players and their bottom-6 has a real identity. It’s going to be a really good games for us.’’

Lyon’s takeover of Detroit’s No. 1 goalie status has brought stability to the position. Lyon is 9-4 on the season with a 2.58 goals-against average and .922 save percentage. The Red Wings play more confidently with Lyon in net. Ville Husso, the previous No. 1 goal, is still out with an undisclosed injury. Coach Derek Lalonde has said he’s still in the “week to week” time frame.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Patrick Kane‘s lower body injury will keep him off the Red Wings current road trip. His status will be updated when the Red Wings return hom.
• Defenseman Jake Walman won’t play tonight against the Panthers. He’s still ill. All of the Red Wings news is included in Bob Duff’s notebook.
• Kris Draper has taken his athleticism into a new arena. He’s become a competitive pickleball player.
• Alex Lyon can relate to the misery that Detroit Lions knew before recording their first playoff win at Ford Field.

Red Wings Next Game

Previously injured forward Klim Kostin returns to the lineup  tonight when the Red Wings face the Florida Panthers in Sunrise, Fla. The game starts at 7  p.m.. With Kane sidelined, Daniel Sprong could get some time playing with J.T. Compher and Alex DeBrincat. Sprong, with 11 goals, is on pace for a 20-goal season. He has four points in his past five games. This is a player who infrequently gets more than 12 minutes of playing time. He sometimes receives less than 10 minutes per game. He has received under 10 in four of his past 11 games.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Is goalie Jeremy Swayman happy with the Boston Bruins and his ongoing contract talks? Jimmy Murphy has the story.

New Jersey: James Nichols examines whether the New Jersey Devils should explore  a deal for Elvis Merzlikins.

Philadelphia: Jonathan Bailey considers whether the Philadelphia Flyers should pursue a trade for Kings forward Arthur Kaliyev.

Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski looks at why the Pittsburgh Penguins power play is struggling. Is it time to replace Erik Karlsson?

San Jose: Mikael Granlund may be “out a little bit” after suffering injury in a game against the Blackhawks. San Jose Sharks.

Vegas: The Vegas Golden Knights announced that Jack Eichel had successful surgery on his lower body injury and will be out “week to week.”

The post The Daily: Lyon Faces His Former Florida Team; Elvis A Fit in NJ? appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

The Detroit Red Wings will be facing two of the toughest opponents in the Eastern Conference on the road without one of their best players.

George Richards of Florida Hockey Now is reporting that Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde was confirming this morning that Patrick Kane won’t be playing in either of the remaining two games on Detroit’s East Coast road swing. The Red Wings play Wednesday at the Florida Panthers and Friday at the Carolina Hurricanes.

Patrick Kane will be out for the Red Wings until they get back to Detroit.

Not a hip injury.

— George Richards (@GeorgeRichards) January 16, 2024

Kane is suffering from a lower-body injury. However, the team did confirm that his injury is in no way related to the hip resurfacing surgery that Kane underwent last summer.

“Lower-body injury, not related to his hip,” Lalonde told the Red Wings Twitter site. “He’s not going to be available for this trip.”

Lalonde suggested that they should have a better idea of the extent of Kane’s absence from the team by this weekend. Detroit is playing at home Sunday against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

“When we get back to Detroit we’ll have a better feel,” Lalonde said. “Probably have an update after the trip.”

Kane Hurt In Toronto

Kane was suffering his injury early on during Sunday’s 4-2 win at Toronto. He would play one minute and seven seconds in the first period before his lower-body injury was forcing him out of the game. He took a hit from forward Pontus Holmberg at 3:21 of the first period and then a short time later went tumbling into the boards while checking Holmberg at Detroit’s goalmouth.

An update on Patrick Kane, per coach Lalonde:

Lower-body injury (not related to his hip). He will be out for the remainder of the road trip and we will see how he’s progressing when we return to Detroit. pic.twitter.com/4WADE1z8wv

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 16, 2024

The Red Wings signed Kane on Nov. 29, and he has made the Red Wings offense more dangerous. He had a goal and an assist Saturday in a win against the Los Angeles Kings. He has 16 points in 19 games, including five multi-point games. Kane is displaying impressive chemistry working in tandem with Alex DeBrincat. This duo were also linemates when they were together with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Detroit players have learned to count on Kane’s stickhandling ability to bring the puck into the offensive zone. He has been a catalyst on the power play. Losing him for any long-term scenario would be a significant loss

The post Kane Out For Red Wings Road Trip appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

The best indication that the Detroit Red Wings are turning the competitiveness corner is the fact that it doesn’t seem ridiculous that Patrick Kane may sign with them.

Detroit Hockey Now writer Bob Duff’s Monday story lays out why unrestricted free agent Kane, 35, is considering the Red Wings as one of his top options. Some around the NHL think he will either sign with the Florida Panthers or the Detroit Red Wings. The Panthers (13-7-1) are seventh overall in the NHL and the Red Wings (11-6-3) are 10th. The Red Wings (3.7 goals per game) are fourth-highest scoring team in the NHL. The Florida Panthers (three goals per game) rank 19th.

The Red Wings have more cap space, although both teams, given Kane’s age, undoubtedly are looking for a short term deal with a reasonable salary.

More importantly, Kane and DeBrincat played well in their seasons together in Chicago. Kane and Larkin also know each other. Of course, Kane also knows Matthew Tkachuk in Florida.

Kane has previously lived in Michigan when he was billeted with the Pat Verbeek family while playing travel youth hockey. He also lived here playing with the U.S. National Team Development Program.

The Buffalo native Kane is expected to make his decision this week,

Patrick Kane to the Wings? Actually makes a lot of sense. https://t.co/R7cB8dwpLa

— Bob Wojnowski (@bobwojnowski) November 27, 2023

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Don’t forget about Jonatan Berggren. He is putting up noteworthy numbers for the Grand Rapids Griffins.
• J.T. Compher has been the player the Red Wings expected him to be when they signed him as UFA last summer.
• Behind the paywall: Simon Edvinsson is probably playing well enough to earn a promotion. Is that going to happen? There are some complications.
• Axel Sandin Pellikka is one goal short of a significant record in the Swedish Hockey League.

Red Wings Next Game

The Detroit squad is heading to New York this afternoon to play the Metropolitan Division-leading New York Rangers on Wednesday. The Rangers (15-4-10) lead the NHL in points percentage. (.775). The New York Post reports that injured defenseman Adam Fox could return to the lineup Wednesday against the Red Wings. Fox hasn’t played since Nov. 2.

Hockey Now Network

Florida: Thirteen players were ejected in the Florida Panthers win against the Ottawa Senators. The Panthers television color analyst Randy Moller said the scoresheet “looked like a CVS receipt….it’s just going to go on and on.”

Boston: Look what the Red Wings started in Boston: the Boston Bruins have now lost three in a row. Jimmy Murphy has the details.

Colorado: Does Colorado Avalanche goalie Alexandar Georgiev finally has his game where he wants it? His 4-1 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning says he does.

Chicago: Nate Brown writes that Philipp Kurashev (four goals, eight assists) has a quality fit with Connor Bedard. Chicago Blackhawks.

Montreal: Marco D’Amico writes that a poor season for the Montreal Canadiens could be a blessing in disguise.

Pittsburgh: Injured Bryan Rust could be ready to play tonight. The Pittsburgh Penguins winger has been out since Nov. 19

Vegas: The Vegas Golden Knights suddenly cannot score goals. They lose 2-1 in overtime to the Calgary Flames.

The post The Daily: Kane to Detroit Plausible ; What’s Wrong With Bruins? appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

There was a time when the thought of Patrick Kane donning the Winged Wheel jersey of the Detroit Red Wings would have been viewed as unconscionable by loyal followers of the team.

That time is not now, however. With the 11-6-3 Red Wings looking to be playoff hopefuls at the very least, could former Hart, Art Ross and Conn Smythe Trophy winner Kane be a player to help put them over the top and into the NHL postseason for the first time since the 2015-16 campagin?

It would appear that UFA Kane, 35, is drawing nearer to making a decision as to where he’ll be taking his talents. The fact of the matter is that the Red Wings remain high on his list. He’ll be playing the remainder of the 2023-24 NHL season after returning from hip surgery.

“There’s a lot of people who seem to think that he’s if not leaning that way, he’s definitely, strongly considering Detroit,” Hockey Night In Canada insider Elliotte Friedman said Monday during 32 Thoughts, the Podcast he co-hosts with Jeff Marek. “I can’t say 100% but there’s definitely a lot of noise out there.”

Friedman talking Patrick Kane and Red Wings on TJMS: “There’s a lot of people who seem to think that he’s if not leaning that way, he’s definitely, strongly considering Detroit. I can’t say 100% but there’s definitely a lot of noise out there”

— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) November 27, 2023

Kane definitely went to the Steve Yzerman school of dealing with journalists when it comes to information leaking out of his camp. There’s been nothing concrete forthcoming about his NHL future.

Could Red Wings Be Kane’s Team?

The Florida Panthers were most recently being given consideration as the favorite on Kane’s short list.

An NHL source told Detroit Hockey Now that he still thinks it will be the Panthers who are Kane’s ultimate destination.

The attraction to the Panthers makes a lot of sense. Florida is a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. He and Panthers GM Bill Zito hold strong ties through their mutual USA Hockey connections. There’s a problem, though, in fitting Kane’s contract into Florida’s salary cap.

That won’t be an issue in Detroit. Red Wings GM Yzerman is holding plenty of room, even if Kane is wanting the one-year deal for $5 million that’s being thrown about in reports.

Certainly, there’s other teams that could still be in on the Kane sweepstakes. The Boston Bruins are the latest surprise team to be adding their name to the list. Already, there’s been speculation about the Buffalo Sabres (his hometown), the Toronto Maple Leafs (friendship with Auston Matthews) and the Dallas Stars (supposedly Kane’s preferred choice of teams).

The bottom lline is that may just be coming down to which teams can afford Kane, and that’s where the Red Wings are hoding all the aces.

More and more chatter about Patrick Kane to the Red Wings. Thinking we will know in 24-48 hours

— John Dietz (@JDietzSports) November 27, 2023

Certainly, Kane has other attractions that could lure him to the Motor City. He was effective as a linemate of Detroit forward Alex DeBrincat. They were teaming with him for both of DeBrincat’s 41-goal seasons in Chicago. And he played youth hockey here for Honeybaked, billeting at the time with then Red Wings player Pat Verbeek.

It’s far from a certainty that Kane will be coming to Detroit. At the same time, it would be foolhardy to rule it out as a possibility.

The post Kane to Red Wings Still Very Much A Possibility appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

While it’s evident that the Detroit Red Wings are still among the contending teams for the services of former Hart Trophy winner Patrick Kane, the fact of the matter is it appears that that they aren’t front runners.

The Kane sweepstakes are officially underway. Kane’s agent Pat Brisson has begun the process of talking to NHL teams regarding his client. And Detroit is on that list. All of the contending clubs play in the Eastern Conference.

According to a report from TSN insider Chris Johnston, the four teams atop Kane’s list are the Buffalo Sabres, New York Rangers, Florida Panthers and Detroit Red Wings. Kane is reportedly seeking a pact that will pay him an AAV of $5 million.

Friedman on 32TP: "We're starting to get close to the Patrick Kane decision, I think this week he's going to start talking to some teams. Bill Zito, the GM of Florida, has been one of the most aggressive GMs when it comes to Kane.."

— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) November 13, 2023

Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman is reporting that Panthers GM Bill Zito is putting the full-court press on in order to convince Kane to bring his talents to South Beah.

Kane underwent hip resurfacing surgery on June 1. At the time, the prognosis was that the 2010 Conn Smythe Trophy winner would require 4-6 months of rehab before he’d be able to resume playing.

Would Kane Consider Red Wings?

There seems to be a groundswell of support for Kane ending up with the Buffalo Sabres. He’s got strong personal relationships with Sabres coach Don Granato and GM Kevyn Adams. Of course, Buffalo is also his hometown.

Sean McDermott praying the Sabres sign Patrick Kane to a three-year deal today so the target gets pulled off his back for at least 24 hours.

— Matthew Hogan (@MattNHLHogan) November 14, 2023

Kane is interested in going with a team that’s a Stanley Cup contender and certainly the Panthers, last season’s Eastern Conference winners, exemplify that possibility as being real. While the Panthers are tight on the salary cap, George Richards of Florida Hockey Now outlines exactly  how a Kane to the Panthers move could work out. Zito and Kane also have a relationship from working together with USA Hockey.

The Rangers appear to have fallen off the radar in the battle for Kane. He finished his season there in 2022-23 following a trade from the Chicago Blackhawks and it wasn’t exactly spectacular. Kane would collect 5-7-12 totals in 19 regular-season games for New York. However, he had only one goal in seven playoff games as the Rangers made a first-round exit.

Where do the Red Wings fit into this picture? Well, it’s known that Kane loved playing on a line with Detroit’s Alex DeBrincat in Chicago. DeBrincat already has 10 goals this season. Kane was his linemate for the majority of both of his 41-goal seasons with Blackhawks.

The two stumbling blocks would appear to be whether Kane considers the Red Wings to be contenders. Then there’s also the fact of whether Detroit GM Steve Yzerman is willing to pay Kane $5 million.

The post Red Wings Still in Mix for Kane appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.