Breaking: Red Wings Bring Back Kane on One-Year Deal

After a months long run of swirling will they or won't they rumors, the Detroit Red Wings and Patrick Kane have officially agreed to a one-year contract extension for Kane to remain in Hockeytown, the club announced late Sunday evening.

Our friends at PuckPedia had the full details on the specifics, namely a $4 million base salary with up to $2.5 million in performances bonuses (a contract structure uniquely available on contracts for players signing at over the age of 35).  The first $1.5 million in bonuses come from a relatively minor hurdle to clear: just 10 games played.  He can earn more in bonus money by hitting 60 games played, making the playoffs, or making the playoffs and scoring 60 points.  The deal will also include a no trade clause.

Kane's continuity in Detroit was far from assured at the end of the season, but his one season with the Red Wings must be termed successful, showing that his creativity, playmaking skills, and star power were none too diminished by hip resurfacing surgery.

Now, GM Steve Yzerman has managed to keep Kane in Detroit without giving out the multi-year deal Kane was reported to seek at different points in his free agency journey.  Because it is just a one-year commitment, there is very little risk in this contract for a Red Wings perspective.

Instead, the team secures the services of a player who scored at nearly a point-a-game pace and finished sixth on the team in points despite not debuting until December.  The most important work of the offseason—extending Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider—remains to be done, but Kane's signing is a major step to maximizing Detroit's short-term competitiveness.  Kane's desire to stick around also signals a faith within the industry that is professional hockey that the Red Wings are to be taken seriously as a playoff contender.