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Red Wings News & Rumors: Kane, Trade Market, Prospects & More
The Stanley Cup playoffs are down to the final four teams, which means the Detroit Red Wings are that much closer to upgrading their roster this offseason. Yes, the 2024 NHL Draft, free agency, and trade season are right around the corner.
In the meantime, get caught up on the latest Red Wings news and rumors, including an update on Patrick Kane, the trade market, buyout options, prospects, and more.
Red Wings “In the Mix” for Kane
The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun shared updates on several free agents – one of which was Patrick Kane.
“Patrick had a fantastic season based on where he started after major surgery, hip resurfacing, and he was able to get back to his ‘A’ game,” Kane’s agent Pat Brisson told LeBrun. (from ‘Rumblings on Guentzel, Kane, Stamkos, Lindholm, Bertuzzi and more as NHL free-agent market heats up’ – The Athletic – 5/24/24)
LeBrun added, “But where it goes from here, Brisson wasn’t ready to add anything else for the moment. Detroit remains in the mix and I believe Brisson will speak with Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman over the coming few weeks.”
On the surface, this is standard business. There’s interest in bringing Kane back, as there should be.
LeBrun also mentioned Kane wanting term, which tracks with what Kane shared in his end-of-season press conference, and that “it’s more likely Kane goes to market July 1.”
A plausible scenario would be the Red Wings offering two years, with Kane and Brisson wanting a third. Then, Kane hits the free agent market and finds similar offers, but none with a third year. Detroit could then circle back to re-sign Kane – he chose the Red Wings originally for a reason, after all.
Tyler Bertuzzi ran into a similar situation last summer. He wanted more term than the Red Wings were willing to give, got traded, and ultimately settled for a one-year deal in the offseason. Kane is a different player, sure, but wants and offers don’t always align.
Red Wings Pursuing a Starting Goalie?
Detroit’s goaltending wasn’t spectacular in 2023-24. Ville Husso, James Reimer, Alex Lyon, and Michael Hutchinson combined for a 3.17 GAA and .902 SV%. Could there be a change in net?
The Fourth Period reported that the Red Wings are among the several teams interested in acquiring a No. 1 goaltender this season. This was in reference to Linus Ullmark of the Boston Bruins possibly being on the move.
It’s interesting that this rumor specified a “No. 1 netminder” – not a 1A/1B tandem goalie or backup to replace Reimer. You won’t find starting goalies in free agency this year. If the Red Wings want to acquire a workhorse goalie, they’ll have to explore the trade market.
In my opinion, the Red Wings are better off prioritizing top-six upgrades through trades before acquiring a starting goalie. They can do both, but adding a high-end forward is more important – even if Kane returns.
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