Patrick Kane sends a clear message to Yzerman during exit interview

The Detroit Red Wings are breaking for the summer after their year came to a close without a playoff spot for the 9th straight year; while they occupied a Wild Card spot at the beginning of March, a brutal losing skid proved to be too much to overcome.

Pending free agent forward and future Hall of Famer Patrick Kane, who has been open about enjoying his time with the Red Wings organization, heavily implied that he'd be open to signing another extension with the Red Wings this summer.

The Red Wings first acquired Kane in December of 2023 when he chose to sign with them on a pro-rated 1 year deal; he had just undergone hip resurfacing surgery, and there was hesitation among other NHL clubs with understandable concern about his durability.

But during his 1st year with the Red Wings, he looked like the Patrick Kane of old that won 3 Stanley Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks; he finished with 47 points (20G, 27A) in 50 games.

Kane decided to return to the Red Wings, signing a 1-year, $4 million contract filled with performance bonuses.

He did get off to a slower start this year; he had only 14 points in 29 games (5G, 9A). But once the Red Wings terminated coach Derek Lalonde and hired Todd McLellan in his place, Kane's offense suddenly returned.

He had 45 points (16G, 29A) in 43 games after McLellan was hired and finished with 59 points (21G, 38A) in 72 games.

His chemistry with Alex DeBrincat, with whom he was teammates while playing with the Chicago Blackhawks, proved to be a major reason why he re-signed with Detroit last summer.

There's also the fact that his young son is good friends with DeBrincat's young son.