Updated at 7:31 PM: NHL.com’s Nicholas J. Cotsonika took note of Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman’s take regarding the Red Wings’ possible loss of free agent-to-be Patrick Kane, due to the uncertainty surrounding Dylan Larkin’s trade request:
Yzerman said the Larkin situation creates “certainly a lot of uncertainty” around the Red Wings’ roster building with the free agent market opening Wednesday. Among Detroit’s pending unrestricted free agents is veteran forward Patrick Kane. The 37-year-old had 57 points (16 goals, 41 assists) in 67 games last season.
“We can talk about free agency later on,” Yzerman said. “Having said that, yes, we would love to have Patrick remain with the Red Wings.”
Continued; Larkin and Kane share the same agent in Pat Brisson, so we’ll find out shortly whether uncertainty pushes Kane out of Detroit, or whether his family situation as settled here in the Motor City’s suburbs proves to serve as a lasting bond.
Update: Here’s more on Patrick Kane’s nebulous status, via the Free Press’s Helene St. James:
Kane has spent the past 2½ seasons with the Wings, arriving in November 2023, six months after undergoing invasive hip surgery. The first-ballot future Hockey Hall of Famer showed that even in the twilight of his career he remains a prime threat, contributing 20 goals and 47 points in 50 games in 2023-24.
The relationship was so mutually satisfying it led to renewal one-year deals in both summer of 2024 and 2025. Kane produced 21 goals and 59 points in 72 games in 2024-25 – a 0.82 points-per-game rate – and upped that to 0.85 points per game in 67 games this past season. He has been limited by injuries, but this past season he was still the Wings’ second-leading scorer post-Olympics.
The 2025-26 season was, in fact, full of successes for Kane. A sampling: On Jan. 8, Kane became the 50th player in NHL history – and the fifth U.S.-born player – to score 500 career goals. On Jan. 29, Kane became the highest-scoring U.S.-born NHL player in history, passing former Wing Mike Modano for the American lead in points. And on April 13, he became the 24th player in NHL history to record 1,400 points.
At season-ending interviews, Kane said sounded like he’d be sticking around.
“I’d love to be part of the solution that helps us get over the hump for sure,” he said. “I think there is mutual interest to come back, continue my career.It’s been a great spot for me and my family and my son. It’s been a great spot to continue my career. I definitely enjoyed my time here.The organization has been absolutely incredible with me and my family, which is appreciated.
“We’ll see how everything plays out.”
The important thing is, of course, that comment was made April 17, nearly two months before Larkin’s trad request leaked on June 4. To not know how the Larkin saga ends may alter Kane’s outlook on staying. And while he’ll be 38 in November, he’s still a phenomenal player who will get offers if he reaches free agency.
It’s worth noting, each of the last two years, he re-signed on June 30 – the eve of free agency.
