The Detroit Red Wings are staring down another long offseason, and if there's one thing their recent performance makes painfully clear, it's this: they need Patrick Kane back in the lineup. As the team faces its 10th consecutive playoff miss, the goal-starved offense has been a glaring issue—and Kane was often the only spark in an otherwise dim season.
In this first installment of our player-by-player breakdown for the 2025-26 season, we're looking at the future of the roster, starting with one of the biggest names. Kane is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, and his contributions this past season made a strong case for why Detroit should fight to keep him.
Despite the team's struggles, Kane finished fifth in scoring with 57 points in 67 games. Late in the season, he joined an elite club by becoming the 24th player in NHL history to reach 1,400 career points. Earlier, he surpassed Mike Modano as the highest-scoring American-born player in league history and later netted his 500th career goal. For a team that often looked flat, Kane provided moments of excitement that kept fans engaged.
"In a miserable month, he's kind of the bright spot, something to cheer about," head coach Todd McLellan said. "Getting excited for."
Kane's offensive chemistry with Alex DeBrincat was a highlight of the season. Together, they accounted for 40 even-strength goals, a crucial contribution for a team that struggled mightily at five-on-five play. DeBrincat's 41-goal season was fueled in large part by Kane's playmaking—26 of those goals (63.4%) came at even strength, while Kane himself scored 14 of his 16 goals (87.5%) in five-on-five situations. Kane also registered 38 of his 57 points (66.6%) at even strength.
"Five on five, he and Cat (were) by far two leaders in that category," McLellan added. "And we are obviously short in that kind of scoring."
Even during the team's brutal March collapse, Kane remained a bright spot, recording 14 points in 13 games. His connection with DeBrincat seemed almost telepathic—a throwback to their days together in Chicago. As Detroit captain noted, "They find each other so well, similar to when they played in Chicago."
For a team searching for offensive consistency, re-signing Kane isn't just about nostalgia—it's about survival. Whether the front office can make it happen will define Detroit's offseason strategy.