Patrick Kane is still expected to be at least a few weeks away from making a decision on where he'll play next season, but according to a Blackhawks reporter, he may have already set his sights on where he'd like to play next season - and the potential destination is in the Atlantic Division.
No, Kane is not expected to join his hometown Buffalo Sabres, nor is this report suggesting that he'll link up with the Leafs to play with Auston Matthews this year. No, this report suggests that Kane could ink a deal in Detroit.
John Dietz of the Daily Herald had a conversation recently with someone who is very close to Patrick Kane who has suggested that Kane could be looking to reunite with a former teammate in Alex DeBrincat. The Red Wings acquired DeBrincat from the Ottawa Senators earlier this summer and appear to be loading up to take a big step forward this season. Kane could certainly help them do that, along with DeBrincat.
Kane and DeBrincat experienced tremendous success playing with one another in Chicago, but when the Hawks triggered a top-to-bottom rebuild, culminating in winning the draft lottery and the 1st overall pick this summer, DeBrincat was one of the first pieces moved out, much to the chagrin of Kane, who had become very close with DeBrincat over the years.
Both DeBrincat and Kane popped off in 2021-22, with Kane notching 92 points - his highest total since he racked up 110 points in 2018-19. Meanwhile, DeBrincat posted a career best 78 points in 81 games in 2021-22, matching a career high 41 goals.
If Kane opts to ink a deal in Detroit, even during his 35-year-old campaign, he could still provide an enormous boost for a Red Wings team who could be on the cusp of breaking out and becoming a playoff team again. His chemistry with DeBrincat is undeniable and perhaps the two former teammates can once again bring out the best in one another if they do reunite in Detroit.
