Detroit Red Wings to part ways with future Hall of Famer in major move
Photo credit: NHL.COM
The Detroit Red Wings have been lacking as of late, standing multiple team's behind in the Eastern Conference Wild-Card Division race, it isn't looking to likely that we will see this original six team in the NHL postseason playoffs this year, and with that being said, their roster is likely to look much different next season.
The likelihood of this roster renewal is very low, the organization has several key pending free agents, as well as plenty of trade candidates, and one specific player has been a hot topic as of recently and is suggested to be on the brink of his last days in Detroit.
Showtime is predicted to be on the rise of entering a new organization
An NHL analyst, Todd Matthew's of Octopus Thrower of FanSided, predicts the Red Wings will move Patrick Kane this offseason.
«Patrick Kane isn't finished yet, but heading into his age-37 season, he'll be insistent on playing for either a top-ranked contender or the Chicago Blackhawks,» Matthews wrote. «Yes, the Blackhawks, as who better to help oversee the team's transition phase than the former face of the franchise? It all depends if Kane wants to hoist the Stanley Cup one more time or help engage in the massive rebuilding project currently going on in the Windy City.»
He continued:
«Regardless, he doesn't fit into the Red Wings future plans unless they want to keep blocking young players and prospects,» Matthews added. «Regardless of where Kane ends up, he'll remain a productive player, ending up with somewhere between 0.75 and 0.80 points per game. Not a bad number, but not where he was. In Detroit's case, anyone moving up through the rankings may not hit that same mark immediately, but if this is truly the long game, then it makes logistical sense.»
He continued:
«Regardless, he doesn't fit into the Red Wings future plans unless they want to keep blocking young players and prospects,» Matthews added. «Regardless of where Kane ends up, he'll remain a productive player, ending up with somewhere between 0.75 and 0.80 points per game. Not a bad number, but not where he was. In Detroit's case, anyone moving up through the rankings may not hit that same mark immediately, but if this is truly the long game, then it makes logistical sense.»
The 36-year old is entering the last few years of his career, and this specific insider believes as though the organization should move towards younger and long-term players.
Despite Kane being a strong competitor and a future Hall of Famer, the likelihood of this forward being interested in even staying in Detroit prior to his retirement is very unlikely, as he is suggested to either return to the roots in Chicago or join a team that is contending material who is not currently in a rebuild.
However, it seems as though the Red Wings' management may still want to keep this key-word in their roster for a while.
Detroit Red Wings' Todd McLellan Praises Patrick Kane
Kane has been an impactful player for Detroit's young core, as a three-time Stanley Cup champion, as well as an MVP winner, Detroit Rd Wings' head coach, Todd McLellan has grown to praise Kane.
«I just think that he loves playing hockey still,» McLellan said. «He comes and he wants to play, and he wants the puck and he wants it to make plays. Does it always go perfect? No. But he can't wait to get back on the ice again, and that excitement to play remains there in a player that could just say, 'I'm full. I've got my Cups. I'm going to the Hall of Fame.' He knows that. We all know that. (He could say) 'I'm secure in my life.' But the hunger's still there.»
Although nothing is set in stone, we can expect a new roster on the rise for Detroit.
| POLL | ||
MARS 24 | 223 ANSWERS Detroit Red Wings to part ways with future Hall of Famer in major move Do you think Patrick Kane will stay in Detroit? | ||
| Yes | 139 | 62.3 % |
| No | 84 | 37.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
