Rumor: Patrick Kane interested in joining Red Wings, reconnecting with Alex DeBrincat originally appeared NBC Sports Chicago
Patrick Kane is open for business.
The first Blackhawks the winger is a free agent this offseason. He played the back half of last season with the New York Rangerswho were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
But now, rumor has it that he might be interested in joining a rival of his former team in the Blackhawks.
“Hope Patrick Kane signs with Detroit red wings,” tweeted John Dietz of the Daily Herald. “Someone who knows Kane very well said Kane told him he wanted to move on Alex DeBrincat if/when he could. Of course, there has to be mutual interest, so we’ll see if Detroit extends an olive branch…”
DeBrincat, 25, signed a four-year contract with the Red Wings this offseason worth $31.5 million. He played 82 games with the Ottawa Senators, which the Blackhawks traded for last offseason and scored 66 points. He scored 27 goals and 39 assists while with the Senators.
Kane and DeBrincat have been a dynamic duo on the Hawks’ front line since the latter entered the league in 2017. DeBrincat posted two 75+ point seasons during his time with the Hawks. Kane averaged over 85 points per season during the years DeBrincat donned a Blackhawks jersey.
The Red Wings have not made the playoffs since the 2015-16 season, when they were eliminated in the first round. That season was the first since the Hawks’ last Stanley Cup run in their historic championship run in the 2010s.
The Red Wings’ unsuccessful state could ironically be a draw for Kane, who is looking to win another Stanley Cup before calling it a career. If he can revitalize the Red Wings, who have gone seven seasons without a playoff berth, it would revive and cement his legacy as one of, if not the best, American hockey players in the history of the sport.
Kane is currently rehabbing from hip surgery he underwent in the offseason. However, his recovery has been remarkably quick. Kane was video oath doing shooting and skating drills three weeks after going under the knife.
On his injury status, Kane had this to say: “Could he be back soon? Yeah, probably.” Kane told reporters recently. “It’s a lot better than last year.”
Where will Kane land this offseason?
