The Detroit Red Wings have options when it comes to Patrick Kane’s future
When he is in the lineup, the Detroit Red Wings have a 3-9-1 record, but Patrick Kane is having a fantastic debut. In fairness, Detroit has had a string of misfortunes and injuries since joining the organisation. This does not minimise the team’s significant struggles on the defensive end of the ball. The Red Wings have struggled with defensive zone coverage over the last three weeks, given in to an excessive amount of odd-man rushes, and lacked discipline when pinching in the offensive zone. Oh, and James Reimer, who had been thrust into the starting job, was unable to provide Detroit with any quality goaltending during the period they were without their top two goalies.
Having said that, Kane has led the Detroit Red Wings’ offence in 13 games since joining the team, tallying six goals and 13 points. Even though he gets over 19 minutes of ice time per night, he is minus-3 for the season. Additionally, he keeps his Corsi For Percentage at 50.2 in circumstances with even strength.
In Detroit, we are only now beginning to glimpse the whole picture. Just after Kane signed with the Red Wings, J.T. Compher, a second-line centre, suffered an injury that kept him out of action, and against Ottawa, there was the terrifying incident involving Dylan Larkin. It was not ideal that Andrew Copp was left to centre Alex DeBrincat and Kane. Apart from that, Joe Veleno—who typically skates as the fourth-line center—had to be moved up to a second-line position by head coach Derek Lalonde. The Red Wings appear to be starting to get healthy, and they need to start stringing wins together if they want to put some of the Kane trade rumours on hold. That talk will undoubtedly start if Detroit keeps losing.
In order to establish his lineup skating Compher between Kane and DeBrincat, Lalonde recently returned to the blender. The Detroit Red Wings are attempting to implement a more balanced offensive approach, and this move puts top centre Larkin between Lucas Raymond and seasoned player David Perron. The strength and performance of Larkin, Kane, and DeBrincat as a trio have been impressive, but it has left the rest of the Red Wings lineup somewhat vulnerable. Even now, Lalonde still relies on the three gifted forwards to fuel his offence late in games when Detroit is losing. They also play together on the team’s best power-play unit.
Before signing with the Red Wings this fall, Kane, 35, carefully considered his alternatives. His connection with sharpshooter DeBrincat and Detroit’s stellar start to the season drew him in. Kane’s decision to stay in Detroit or pursue his fourth Stanley Cup somewhere may be influenced by his tight friendship with DeBrincat off the court. Kane might be willing to sign a contract extension with the Detroit Red Wings if he believes the team is close to contending for a postseason run, possibly as soon as next season. This would give Yzerman one off-season to make the necessary improvements knowing that he would have that Kane/DeBrincat connection together right from the start the following season.
