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Does Patrick Kane’s Costly Penalty Cloud His Future with the Red Wings?

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | Last updated Apr 7, 2026 2:27 PM ET

The Patrick Kane era with the Detroit Red Wings hit a tense moment this past weekend. Trailing 4-1 to the Minnesota Wild, the Red Wings staged a furious comeback, with Kane tying the game at 4-4 for his 15th goal and 52nd point of the season. But with 3:37 left, Kane took a needless tripping penalty on Quinn Hughes, away from the play.

Minnesota capitalized, as Kirill Kaprizov scored the game-winner with 1:51 remaining, handing Detroit a 5-4 loss.

The loss was bad enough. However, that loss could also mean the Red Wings don’t make the 2026 NHL playoffs. They are sitting two points outside a playoff wild card spot with 88 points (ironically, his jersey number) and, with just five games remaining, every point counts.

Kane knows it was a bad look. It’s one of those penalties you just can’t take and if it costs his team the playoffs, he’ll have to eat that forever.

“It just sucks at that time and moment…down 4-1, coach challenges you, you come back and make it 4-4, and then give it away in one stupid play. You feel like you let the teammates down…maybe the worst I felt personally in my career,” he said. Coach Todd McLellan echoed the sentiment: “It hurts…150 feet from our net not even in the play.”

What Might Be the Domino Effect From the Kane Penalty?

If the Red Wings can’t catch up and make the playoffs, then what? Their odds of making the postseason have dropped into the 12-37% range, and missing the playoffs for a 10th straight year would be a bitter blow. It’s the kind of drought that costs people their jobs.

Does this one mistake tarnish Kane’s legacy? Not really. He came to Detroit as a veteran leader, providing skill, mentorship, and clutch contributions in a rebuild-turned-contender phase. Just because the Red Wings arguably haven’t turned that corner yet, that’s not all on Kane. He remains a Hall of Famer with three Cups and a Conn Smythe Trophy and he’s done a lot more good for the Red Wings than bad.

Coach Todd McLellan said, “you figure he knows how he should be feeling, but if we’re doing our jobs, we still meet with him, and I’ve met with him, we’ve dealt with it, we’re moving on. We can’t turn the clock back now and change it.” He added, “I know he’s owned it. We’ve got to move forward.”

Yet, in a tight playoff race, costly errors linger. And, if the Red Wings wind up making huge offseason changes because they miss out, yet again, some may look back at that penalty and have a hard time forgetting.

Kane is a UFA at the end of the season. If he takes heat, perhaps he won’t want to stay in the kitchen.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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