Reports: Patrick Kane Set to Sign with Red Wings in New Deal

Reports from sources reveal that Patrick Kane is set to sign a one-year, $2.75 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings, disclosed on Tuesday by ESPN.

Kane, best known for his 16-year tenure with the Chicago Blackhawks before a move to the New York Rangers last spring, is currently on the road to recovery after undergoing hip resurfacing surgery. The accomplished nine-time All-Star has been in discussions with several teams in recent months, including the Buffalo Sabres, Florida Panthers, Dallas Stars, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Boston Bruins.

Insiders suggest that Kane ultimately narrowed down his options to two Eastern Conference teams in the final week before reaching an agreement with the Red Wings, reportedly excluding any bonuses from his deal.

Having relocated to Toronto for the past six months to focus on recovery, Kane’s surgery was performed by Dr. Edward Hsu, with rehabilitation overseen by Ian MacIntyre. During his time in Toronto, former NHL player Cody Hodgson provided assistance through drills and practice sessions.

Sources also share that in virtual meetings with coaches and general managers, Kane was questioned about his motivation to undergo such a challenging rehab process for a procedure relatively untested in the NHL, to which he replied consistently, “Because I love the game.”

Throughout his journey, Kane displayed humility and emphasized his need “to earn my spot,” expressing no expectations of playing on a team’s first line or first power-play unit.

As the holder of 1,237 points in 1,180 NHL games, Kane’s 451 career goals rank sixth among active players, making him a significant force in the league.

Ultimately, sources indicate that Kane was swayed by Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde’s hockey knowledge and vision for the team, as well as the opportunity to reunite with former Chicago linemate Alex DeBrincat.

While going through the rehab process, Kane engaged with other athletes who had undergone hip resurfacing, including Washington Capitals’ Nicklas Backstrom and tennis star Andy Murray.

Despite the Red Wings’ seven-year playoff drought, the team is showing signs of progress in their rebuild, currently holding third place in the Atlantic Division with an 11-6-3 record as of Tuesday.