The Detroit Red Wings may lose forward Patrick Kane to the New York Rangers when he becomes a free agent on July 1, according to NHL Insider Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff. In a podcast episode on June 18, Seravalli suggested that Kane might be interested in returning to the Rangers for the 2024-25 season. He mentioned that Kane felt he didn’t perform at his best during his previous stint with the Rangers due to an injury and wants a chance to redeem himself.
Kane signed a one-year deal with the Red Wings for the 2024 season and played 50 games, scoring 20 goals and providing 27 assists. Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman praised Kane’s skills and composure in high-pressure situations, describing him as “a wizard with the puck.”
Kane’s earlier tenure with the Rangers in the 2023-24 season was hampered by a hip injury that eventually required surgery. This injury limited his performance, resulting in just 5 goals and 12 points in 19 regular-season games after being traded from the Chicago Blackhawks in February 2023. In the playoffs, Kane managed only 1 goal in the Rangers’ seven-game first-round loss to the New Jersey Devils.
Despite Seravalli’s speculation, Kane’s return to the Rangers remains uncertain. Kane, who has career earnings of $121 million and three Stanley Cup championships with the Blackhawks, is in the twilight of his career. A reunion with the Rangers, potentially at a lower salary, could be mutually beneficial.
Rangers GM Chris Drury, speaking at the end-of-season press conference, expressed the team’s openness to various strategies to improve their roster. Drury emphasized that the Rangers are exploring all options, including internal adjustments, free-agent signings, and trades. He acknowledged the importance of key players like Chris Drury and Chris Kreider and the need to find complementary pieces to strengthen the team.
The Rangers are projected to have just over $9 million in cap space with 19 of 23 players under contract for the upcoming offseason, according to CapFriendly. This financial flexibility allows the Rangers to consider different avenues to enhance their lineup and strive for their ultimate goals.
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