A surprise team in the Eastern Conference may end up landing free agent forward Patrick Kane, according to a report.
The 2023 NHL free agent market opened two months ago, and the three-time Stanley Cup champion surprisingly remains unsigned. But according to John Dietz of the Daily Herald newspaper (in Arlington Heights, a Chicago suburb), the Detroit Red Wings are a front-runner to land Kane.
Dietz heard from a source that Kane was keen on reuniting with ex-Chicago Blackhawks teammate Alex DeBrincat, whom the Red Wings acquired in a trade with the Ottawa Senators earlier this offseason.
Kane is coming off the worst statistical season of his career, having scored just 21 goals and 57 points in a year that was split with Chicago and the New York Rangers. Of course, a future Hall of Famer of Kane’s caliber could regain his star-like form with the right team.
Kane had 45 points in 54 games for Chicago last season before getting traded to the Rangers ahead of the deadline. He had 12 points in 19 games and helped the Rangers to the No. 3 seed in the Metropolitan Division, but they were ousted by the rival New Jersey Devils in seven games.
One of the greatest players of his generation, Kane has 1,237 career points in 1,180 NHL games. Along with three championship rings, Kane won both the Hart Trophy and the scoring title in 2016.
