The Detroit Red Wings have made significant moves this offseason, signing key players to short-term deals and re-signing future Hall of Famer Patrick Kane. With the addition of GM Steve Yzerman’s roster changes and Todd McLellan’s first full season behind the bench, the Red Wings are aiming for their first playoff berth since 2016. But what will the 2026 offseason bring for Detroit after many of those contracts expire? Could the team lure a homegrown star back to Michigan?
Enter Kyle Connor, the Winnipeg Jets forward who hails from Clinton Township, a northern suburb of Detroit. As an unrestricted free agent next July 1, Connor will be a highly sought-after commodity, especially with his impressive offensive production. Over the past eight seasons, Connor has been a consistent force for the Jets, surpassing 30 goals in seven of those seasons, including a career-high 47 goals in 2021-22. Last season, he scored 41 goals, further solidifying his place as one of the league's top scorers.
"Could Kyle Connor return home to Michigan and join a rising Red Wings team?" NHL Insider Frank Seravalli suggests it could happen. "You can see the Michigan product going back. He would make a ton of sense for the Red Wings, who could use a scoring boost."
At 29 years old, Connor is still in his prime and could provide Detroit with the additional scoring punch they need. His potential signing would be a clear message that Yzerman is serious about turning Detroit into a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference. With the NHL salary cap set to rise significantly in the coming years—projected to reach $104 million for 2025-26 and nearly $114 million by 2027-28—the Red Wings, who already have ample cap space, could afford to bring Connor into the fold while also maintaining flexibility for future acquisitions and extending key young players like Marco Kasper and Simon Edvinsson.
Could Kyle Connor return home and give the Red Wings the missing piece they need to contend for a championship? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—Detroit’s future is looking brighter than ever.
