Patrick Kane is gearing up for a pivotal week as he prepares to become an unrestricted free agent in the NHL. With his one-year deal set to expire on July 1st, the ball now appears to be in the Detroit Red Wings‘ court, as the star veteran has reportedly taken a firm stance.
Will the 2025-26 NHL season finally be the one? Or will the Red Wings fall short of the Stanley Cup Playoffs once again? Patience is running short in Motor City, and a sudden turn might be coming up down the road. Todd McLellan will be behind the bench for his first full season as head coach in Detroit, but Kane’s future is still up in the air.
Not necessarily because the three-time Stanley Cup champion is eyeing the exit door, though. According to reports around the league, Kane is trending to a final decision on his future, and it’s now up to the Red Wings.
Here to stay
“Patrick Kane is of a mind to stay in Detroit,” Chris Johnston reported during the latest episode of his own podcast, the Chris Johnston Show.
Kane has been in Mo-town for the past two seasons, yet he hasn’t been able to snap the franchise’s postseason drought. Nine NHL campaigns have gone by since the Red Wings last played in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Job security
Kane has signed one-year extensions in consecutive offseasons, a clear signal of the franchise’s wariness on the veteran’s age and a potential decline in his production.
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Should Detroit sign Kane to a longer contract than a one-year extension?
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While the 36-year-old forward continues to deliver 20+ goals per season, he’s hoping to secure some long-term stability. Whether Detroit is willing to offer Kane a longer-term contract, however, is a whole different story.