Coyotes Thank Patrick Kane For his Time In the Desert

When the Detroit Red Wings were in Arizona to play the Coyotes on Friday, the organization’s X account (formerly Twitter) thanked Patrick Kane for the minute he was in their organization.

You have to love a team that has a sense of humor.

Just before the 2023 NHL trade deadline, the Chicago Blackhawks sent Kane to the New York Rangers. In order to make Kane fit under the Rangers’ salary cap, the Blackhawks retained half of Kane’s $10.5 million salary and then traded him to the Coyotes. Arizona kept another 25% of the salary and moved him along to the Rangers.

His time in the desert didn't last long.

But during Patrick Kane's return to Mullett Arena tonight, we pause to recognize the Yotes legend. pic.twitter.com/zOQDl0qFuI

— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) March 9, 2024

Hence, Kane spent time on the Coyotes’ books, but no time on their bench. As the Coyotes Twitter might say, “Patrick we hardly knew you.”

The Kane situation isn’t anything new for the Coyotes. Sometimes looking for a way to reach the floor of the salary cap, they have carried the contracts of retired players or players that are long-term injured reserve. You may remember that former Detroit star Pavel Datsyuk ended his career technically with the Arizona organization.

Today, the Coyotes have Shea Weber, Bryan Little and Jakub Voracek on their long-term injured reserve (LTIR). None of them have actually played for the team.

There was no tribute video for Kane, but there was one for Christian Fischer who was a popular player during his seven years with the Coyotes.

Christian Fischer.

Forever an Arizonan❤️️ pic.twitter.com/QG5NZLgDPB

— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) March 9, 2024

Fischer played long enough in Arizona that he now considered it home. He is a Chicago native who played for the U.S. National Team Development Program and the Windsor Spitfires before signing with the team in the desert.