Patrick Kane sees excitement as Detroit Red Wings aim for playoffs

Traverse City – Alex DeBrincat followed the news and updates on Patrick Kane, just like Red Wings fans did last summer.

Not that much information came out of the negotiations between Kane, a potential free agent, and the Wings. Maybe a few clues here and there, but nothing substantial.

And shortly after the end of the regular season, it seemed as if Kane and the Wings might be at an impasse.

However, just before the start of unrestricted free agency on July 1, the Wings and Kane negotiated a one-year contract (average annual value of $4 million with achievable incentives of $2.5 million) that kept Kane in Detroit after a very productive first season.

DeBrincat, who played with Kane in Chicago and is a good friend of the veteran winger, was happy about the news.

“We talked most of the summer and he didn't necessarily know what he was going to do,” DeBrincat said. “At the end of the day, I think he knew he loved playing here. He loved the fans, the team and just loved being a Red Wing.”

“So his return was huge for us.”

Kane was almost a point-per-game player after joining the Wings in November, with 47 points (20 goals, 27 assists) in 50 games. He brought excitement and confidence to a roster that may have lacked some of those ingredients and showed no lingering effects from the complicated hip surgery he underwent several months before his signing.

After reflecting on his time in Detroit, Kane felt the Wings were still a perfect fit for him.

“We were so close last year and when you look back on the season,” Kane said, “there are things you think about when you're potentially signing a new contract. There were some great moments for me personally and for the team and the excitement around the team.”

Having not trained as intensely as he would have liked over the previous two summers due to hip pain, Kane was excited to resume his regular offseason hockey training this summer.

Kane is optimistic that the intensive training on the ice this summer will help him.

“It's been nice,” Kane said. “A couple of summers ago it was a lot of rehab and trying to find some relief. This year it's been more about more resistance training, more weight in the exercises, more whole body and not just the hips. It's been nice to go to the gym and feel good and get ready to work and train as hard as I can as an athlete.”

Kane's patience and ability to slow the game down are things that the Wings players can absorb, according to DeBrincat. Kane's chemistry with DeBrincat picked up where they left off in Chicago, giving the Wings the offensive power they needed.

“You try to look at how (Kane) plays,” DeBrincat said. “He creates so much, so you try to take some of that and incorporate it into your own game. But he's pretty special, so you can't take too much. You take what you can and let him do the rest.”

Captain Dylan Larkin believes Kane's leadership and presence will be of great value to the Wings.

“When he talks in our room, I didn't know he was like that before I played with him, but he stands up and says things and when he speaks, people listen,” Larkin said. “He's earned that in this league and especially on our team. To see that he wanted to come back and that he had a summer full of training, I'm really happy for him.”

Several Wings, including coach Derek Lalonde, have spoken about the need to get off to a good start in what appears to be a difficult October and the regular season.

Kane agrees that despite the positive last season, it is important for the Wings to start working for a new season.

“That's our goal, everyone knows we want to make the playoffs,” Kane said. “But we still have to take some steps to get there. We're not just going to start the season with 91 points. We have to work for it. We're playing in a really tough division. We've got a tough schedule at the start of the season. The focus should be more on the start and getting off to a good start and getting ourselves in a position where we have a little cushion.”

“I know the organization hasn't been to the playoffs in a long time (2016), and that's exactly what we're trying to accomplish this year. There's a lot of energy and excitement to be here in camp and getting better as a team and potentially achieving that goal.”

There is an extra motivational boost that could entice Kane this season.

With the NHL hosting a four-nation tournament in February, analysts from around the world have already drawn up numerous drafts for the US team's roster – and while Kane is one of the best American players of all time, he is not a surefire fit in the squad, which looks on the younger side.

Larkin believes Kane should be captain of the team based on his performances and his CV.

Kane will wait and see how the season goes and think about a possible national team later.

“It's kind of in the back of your mind a little bit, but I don't think it's something you're really thinking about right now,” Kane said. “You're thinking about getting ready for the season, having a good training camp and being as ready as you can be for the start of the season.”

“There are a lot of good players, a lot of good forwards, including Larkin and DeBrincat. We'll see what happens. It's a privilege and an honor to play for Team USA. You want to be on those (national) teams, but I guess we'll see how it all plays out. It would be an honor to represent my country, especially in these big tournaments like the Four Nations and the Olympics.”

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Patrick Kane sees excitement as Detroit Red Wings aim for playoffs

ByVanessa

By Vanessa

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