Veteran winger Patrick Kane has picked out the Detroit Red Wings as his new team. According to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan, Kane agreed to a one-year, $2.75 million deal with the franchise.
Kane has been a free agent this offseason but opted not to sign with a team until he recovers from a hip surgery he underwent in June. After it became clear he would be able to return to the ice in December, Kane opened talks with several interested teams.
Reportedly, Kane’s priority was to sign with a playoff contender, and he met with the Buffalo Sabres, Florida Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Boston Bruins, among other teams. However, he ended up picking out the Red Wings because of their coach, Derek Lalonde, and his ability to play with a former Chicago Blackhawks teammate, Alex DeBrincat.
Kane is expected to provide a big boost for Detroit, adding another playmaker as the team looks to keep up with the leading teams in the Atlantic Division. The Red Wings are currently third with an 11-6-3 record and have six points less than the Bruins, who sit at the top.
Patrick Kane spent almost his entire career with the Blackhawks, helping the franchise win three Stanley Cup championships. He was traded to the New York Rangers ahead of the NHL trade deadline last season. Kane has 451 goals and 786 assists in 1,180 NHL games.
