Patrick Kane discusses his future with Red Wings
Will the future Hall of Famer be back?
HockeyFeed
It was a shrewd move by Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman to take a waiver on forward Patrick Kane, who was coming off hip resurfacing surgery after having played the last two and a half years in discomfort.
The move has paid off in spades for the Red Wings, as Kane has looked almost like his old self that helped the Chicago Blackhawks torment the Red Wings during the early 2010s. Right now, Kane is producing at nearly point-per-game pace and is showing no signs of rust.
Right now, the Red Wings remain mathematically alive in the postseason chase, though they did themselves no favors by losing last night to the Washington Capitals. Kane can become an unrestricted free agent this summer, and he admitted that it's something that's in the back of his head.
“Obviously, it’s in the back of your mind,” he said. “Right now, it’s more about being in the moment, being here with this team and trying to get in the playoffs. I think just with the situation I was in and coming in and being here for maybe three-quarters of the season, it’s just this year and then we’ll see what happens. Hopefully all that stuff figures itself out.”
“Definitely feel better than last year, which is making (surgery) feel like a good decision,” Kane said. “I wasn’t really sure going into surgery if it was the right decision. I feel like I put it off for 2-3 years, so it was probably time to do it. Really happy with everything. Feel like it’s going to get better and better as time goes on, which is exciting.
“Excited to just keep dialing it in more and more and keep getting better with the hip and feeling it out.”
But the former rival has nothing but good things to say about the Red Wings during his time in the Motor City so far.
“Nothing but positive things to say about the organization, the coaches and the team,” Kane said. “Really happy with the decision to come here. Obviously, it’s not easy deciding where you want to play, where you think you’d fit best. Been great being a Wing and just playing at the LCA, the way the fans have embraced me. You didn’t really know with the Chicago-Detroit rivalry.”
As far as his health is concerned, Kane says that's it's a positive now and feels he can continue to contribute.
“I’m just feeling better about my body and myself and my game,” he said.
“I think I’m happy with my production, what I’ve accomplished, but you always feel there’s a little bit more in the tank. You feel like you can do a little more for the team.”
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