The end of November in the NHL turned out to be very eventful. A lot has happened in recent days: Minnesota changed coaches after a seven-game losing streak; “Florida” and “Ottawa” presented an unforgettable match with 167 penalty minutes and Paul Maurice counting the remaining lineup on the bench; After all, the entire hockey world was excited about the mysterious story of Corey Perry and his departure from Chicago. And at the same time, Patrick Kane decided to return to the game.
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The team in which, without exaggeration, the legendary American will continue his career, has not been a secret for a long time: Patrick is going to Detroit. The event is itself Kane’s comeback: the 35-year-old forward missed the first part of the season due to hip surgery and is now ready to return to the ice with new strength.
Just a week ago, well-known pundit Elliott Friedman named three clubs where Kane could continue his career; In addition to the Red Wings, Florida and Buffalo were also on the list. The option with the Stanley Cup finalists initially seemed the least realistic: in order to invite Patrick to their team, the Panthers would probably have to part with someone, because they would not have enough space under the roof, even taking into account the small requests. player’s finals: for the next season in the Motor City he will receive 2.75 million dollars.
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Photo
Detroit announced the signing of Patrick Kane
A beautiful story could have resulted if Kane had gone to Buffalo; after all, this is his hometown team. Rumors have long linked the striker with a move to the Blades camp, and his experience could come in handy there. The Sabres’ number one goal now is to make the playoffs for the first time since 2011. A very promising team has assembled in northwest New York, which this season has the best chance in many years to finish among the top eight teams of the conference. Kane could teach Buffalo’s young wingers a lot, but either the club decided that they could build a strong team without Patrick, or the player himself chose a different direction: one way or another, we will not see him in the Blades jersey. At least this season.
“Detroit” as a possible future club of Kane also appeared in the news long before the start of the season, but many treated this option, if not with obvious mockery, then at least with a high degree of mockery. At the beginning of September we wrote in detail the reasons for this attitude.
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Wings general manager Steve Yzerman did everything he could to make the potential deal happen. According to reputed insider Frank Seravalli, Yzerman personally flew to Toronto, where the player is recovering, to speak with Kane face to face. I don’t know what negotiation methods Steve uses, but they work: Patrick chose Detroit as his new workplace.
Likely one of the factors behind Kane’s transition to the Red Wings was Alex DeBrincat, who the 35-year-old forward played with in Chicago. At least this is also mentioned by Seravalli, citing a personal meeting with Yzerman and the possibility of a reunion with DeBrincat as the two main reasons that persuaded Patrick to sign a contract with the wings.
Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane in Chicago
Photo: AP/TASS
Kane apparently doesn’t have another Stanley Cup yet: Detroit, even despite a good start, is more likely to be a wild-card contender than a true contender for the trophy. Michigan hasn’t seen the playoffs since 2016, and Patrick can only help the club smell the gunpowder of cup battles again, but not win the title. Although, given the incredible density in the East table, it will still be necessary to win it to reach the round of 16.
Much of Kane’s case will depend on whether he fully recovers from surgery. Not long ago, another player took a break from his career after undergoing hip surgery; We are talking, of course, about Washington’s Niklas Bäckström, who will probably no longer be able to return to the NHL level, no matter what. one would like to believe otherwise.
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However, Detroit takes virtually no risks in this story. If Patrick overcomes his injuries and starts playing, the “wings” will receive happy dividends by inviting the American veteran. If everything does not go as planned, then the contract will only be valid until the end of this season; neither side will lose much and they will be able to painlessly go their separate ways in just six months.
Patrick’s debut in a Red Wings jersey is yet to come – the forward will need some time to recover, but there is talk that a return to big hockey could take place next week. Meanwhile, Detroit is doing everything it can to make Kane feel as comfortable as possible in the team: forward Daniel Sprong generously agreed to give the newcomer the number 88, which Patrick wore throughout his career.
We’ll have to watch how this race plays out in the very near future. Will Kane remain in the “wings” camp or will they become just a transit point for him on his way to the next contender?
THE NAIS IS OFFICIAL EDITOR ON NAIS NEWS