NHL free agency is set to begin on Tuesday, July 1 at 12:00 p.m. EST, and the Red Wings are expected to be busy. The team is in need of roster improvements in several spots, and while bringing in new talent will be top of mind for Steve Yzerman, re-signing Patrick Kane should be on Yzerman's to-do list as well.
Kane is "of a mind to stay" in Detroit, and Yzerman appears interested in re-signing Kane soon. But bringing back Kane needs to be just one of several impact moves made by Yzerman in the coming weeks.
Chris Johnston: Patrick Kane is "of a mind to stay" in Detroit - Chris Johnston Show
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) June 26, 2025
Kane continues to be effective offensively, can help mentor young talent
Kane will be entering his age-37 season in 2025-26, and he's showed no signs of slowing down offensively. This past season, the future Hall of Famer tallied 59 points on 21 goals and 38 assists in 72 games. He saw increased success on the power play, as he potted 12 goals on the man-advantage after scoring just two in 2023-24.
In two seasons in Detroit, Kane has played in 122 games. He's been effective when healthy, totaling 106 points on 41 goals and 65 assists. He seems to still have some juice left in the tank, and appears to be comfortable donning the Winged Wheel. He still has a lot to offer to a hungry Detroit team moving forward.
In addition to his on-ice skill set, Kane's veteran presence can be beneficial for the younger crop of Red Wings. Players like Marco Kasper, who scored 19 goals and dished out 18 assists for 37 points at just 20 years old last season, can continue to learn and grow under Kane's leadership.
Detroit has over $21 million available in cap space heading into free agency. That means that not only can Detroit re-sign Kane, but they can continue to search for other big names to bring in.
As fans yearn for a playoff birth, successful offseason is a must
Several of Detroit's fellow Atlantic Division foes have already bolstered their rosters. Most notably, the Canadiens traded for star defenseman Noah Dobson, and the Maple Leafs re-signed Red Wing killer John Tavares. Yzerman already had pressure on him to orchestrate an impactful 2025 offseason, but those moves put the pressure on even more.
Yzerman doesn't need to go crazy, but enhancing the roster through free agency and/or trades is a must. He already brought in goaltender John Gibson, which could help solve a major pain point between the pipes for his squad. Other potential acquisitions could include a top-four defenseman and a skilled winger.
Red Wings fans have seen several underwhelming offseasons come and go in recent years, and as the franchise enters its centennial season, fans are hungry for a playoff birth. Re-signing Kane and adding some additional pieces could prove to be beneficial heading into the 2025-26 campaign.
