If anyone still has questions about whether the old Patrick Kane is back, it would only be because they weren’t watching the Detroit Red Wings play over the past week.
Kane enjoyed three consecutive multi-points, finishing the week with an NHL-leading total of four goals and four assists. He tallied the 50th shootout goal of his career. That’s second all-time among NHL players behind only his long-time Chicago Blackhawks teammate Jonathan Toews.
Patrick Kane, who signed with the @DetroitRedWings on Nov. 28 following offseason hip surgery, topped the NHL with 4 4—8 in four games last week and is averaging a point per game this season (5-5—10 in 10 GP).#NHLStats: https://t.co/n5VdUkpqQO pic.twitter.com/ipih5XsmFo
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) December 24, 2023
The performance helped to earn Kane one of the NHL’s three stars of the week. It’s also silencing the doubters – of which there were many when he accounted four just 1-1-2 totals over his first five games – that Kane would able to again be himself following hip resurfacing surgery.
Those who got to watch Kane up close could see that the skills were still there. It was simply a matter of shaking off the rust and the points would begin piling up.
“Just try to get the timing down,” Kane said of his mission at the outset of his return from a six-month layoff. “When I get the chances put them home.”
Consider that to be mission accomplished.
Kane has accounted for more than 400 goals and in excess of 1200 points during his NHL career. Right from the outset, Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde was confident he’d been getting that guy in his lineup.
“You could feel from night one,” Lalonde said. “He’s been around it, making plays.”
Perhaps no one can better comprehend the desire that drove Kane to undergo what is basically still experimental surgery to continue playing in the NHL at the age of 35. In 2002, at the age of 37, Yzerman underwent an osteotomy on his knee – a prcoedure designed to allow seniors to wlak without pain – in order to continue his NHL career. It bought him another three seasons.
“I did love playing, I wanted to keep playing, I would have kept playing forever,” Yzerman explained. “I’m not sure it was the right decision but I loved to play and it’s all I’ve ever done my whole life.
“Patrick Kane is a competitive person. He wants to play hockey, so I totally understand without having a long discussion on why he wanted to do this. I get it totally for sure.”
PATRICK KANE CALLS GAME IN THE SHOOTOUT!@DetroitRedWings | #LGRW | #NHLTonight pic.twitter.com/VdMjucMRTn
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) December 23, 2023
Certainly, Kane reflects similar qualities as Yzerman not just in their level of skill as hockey players, but in that unabated desire to keep playing the game.
“I guess the main reason would be the love and the passion for the game,” Kane lists as what drove him to go through this ordeal in order play again. “Still wanting to play, as simple as that.”
It wasn’t going to an easy road back for Kane. Enduring the pain, the emotional toll and let’s face it, the sheer torture of battling back to health while rehabbing from major surgery is a daunting taks
No one knows what Kane’s been through better than Red Wings forward Robby Fabbri. He coudl write a PhD dissertation on dealing with the pain and suffering of the rehabilitation process. Four times, Fabbri has undergone reconstructive knee surgery.
“It’s definitely not easy,” Fabbri said. “I did it earlier this year. It’s about not only getting your legs up to game speed, but your mind up to game speed.
“That’s the tough part of sports in general to come back from.”
Kane knew the journey would be arduous, but the reward would be worth the rugged trip.
“I didn’t want it to be the reason I had to stop playing,” he said of his hip issue. “It was a decision that was talked about pretty deeply to make sure we made the right decision.
“I also feel like I have a lot left to give. I still feel good as far as how I feel on the ice and my conditioning. I don’t feel like I’m getting old in that regard.”
Based on his performance so far, that fact seems beyond debate.
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A team that has gone through several changes already this summer, the Vancouver Canucks remain active, currently engaged in discussions with unrestricted free agent forward Jack Roslovic. According to reports from Rick Dhaliwal and Cam Robinson, the organization has spoken to Roslovic on several occasions and are still interested in potentially signing him to a free agency deal. Roslovic posted 39 points in 81 games for the Carolina Hurricanes in 2024-25. He is reportedly seeking a two- or three-year deal worth just over $3 million annually. Roslovic could be a solid middle-six contributor for an NHL team, but there is some concern over whether he’s a needle mover. He could be a solution for Canucks, who need a true third-line center, but some wonder if he’s the best place to be using the little cap flexibility Vancouver has. A Roslovic signing would take up much of the $3.2 million available to add to the roster. Can the Canucks work the math out on Roslovic? At this stage of free agency, it’s about finding value in overlooked talent. Roslovic likely won’t be a dynamic top producer, but he has value. The question is if Vancouver can make the math work. He could provide reliable depth scoring, but is that where the money should go? Some believe the Canucks would be better served by taking a bigger swing. On his own, Roslovic likely doesn’t move the Canucks into contender status.
The Golden State Warriors are still awaiting a decision by restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga as the NBA offseason is nearing August. Of course, Kuminga has a major decision to make regarding the next step of his career and it appears likely that it will not be in Golden State but rather with another franchise. This comes after the young forward fell out of Steve Kerr’s rotation last season after the Warriors acquired Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat at the trade deadline. While it appears Kuminga’s time in Golden State is nearing an end, the Warriors still have a major say in his next team as they will likely have to agree to a sign-and-trade deal. Despite this, ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel recently reported that one Eastern Conference team could escalate the situation between Kuminga and the Warriors by making a major decision this offseason. “Other teams with rumored interest in Kuminga are the Chicago Bulls, Phoenix Suns, and Brooklyn Nets. Then again, the Nets, who have plenty of cap space, have yet to express serious interest in Kuminga,” Siegel wrote. “If they wanted to, Brooklyn could sign Kuminga to an offer sheet right now and escalate this situation.” This is a massive report by Siegel as the Nets do have enough cap space to sign Kuminga to an offer sheet which would tie the Warriors’ hands. Of course, this is unlikely to happen as the Nets are also dealing with their own restricted free agent problems with Cam Thomas as they are not wanting to offer the young guard the contract that he wants. While that may be the case, if the Nets end up moving on from Thomas in a sign-and-trade deal with another team they could shift their focus on Kuminga, who they have been linked to over the past two seasons. This would be the worst-case scenario for Golden State and one that would extremely hurt them heading into next season, especially with their lack of moves thus far this offseason.
Las Vegas Raiders fans were shocked to learn that their team had parted ways with Christian Wilkins, their prized 2024 offseason acquisition. Let’s take a look at the reactions on social media, particularly from Raider Nation. In what can be described as the first “shocking” development of training camp, Raiders brass (spearheaded by general manager John Spytek) opted to go in a different direction. Well, that’s putting it nicely. The official statement was uncompromising. “We have decided that it is in the best interest of the organization to move on from Christian Wilkins and he has been informed of this release from the team. This franchise has a ‘Commitment to Excellence’ on and off the field. With no clear path or plan for future return to play from Christian, this transaction is necessary for the entire organization to move forward and prepare for the new season.” —Raiders statement on Wilkins’ release Here’s the thing: it’s not such a simple story. Wilkins and the Raiders originally agreed to a $110 million contract last offseason. On Thursday, the team opted to designate him as a terminated, vested veteran. Basically, he’s not subject to waivers. If you recall, Wilkins only played in five games last season before a foot injury took him out. Upon entering training camp, the Raiders placed him on the PUP list—naturally, that cast doubt as to whether he’d be available for the start of the season. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Raiders took issue with how Wilkins went about rehabbing after his surgery. As a result, the team voided what was left of his $35.2 million in guaranteed money. Also of note was that league insider Ian Rapoport stated that the organization wanted him to undergo another surgery but Wilkins declined. He opted to rehab his foot without additional surgery. Now, the Raiders will be without former general manager Tom Telesco’s prized free agent signing. Raider Nation, as we all know, had a lot to say and didn’t hold back. Raider Nation reacts to shocking Christian Wilkins news… At the end of the day, whether Wilkins plays this season and how the Raiders perform will lead us to revisit this story at some point. Clearly, this means we won’t have a quiet offseason without drama. Right, folks? *
Damion Baugh spent his rookie season in the NBA playing for the Charlotte Hornets. The 24-year-old had averages of 7.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.0 steals per contest while shooting 32.3% from the field in 15 games. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Hornets will now waive Baugh. Via Scotto: "The Charlotte Hornets are waiving two-way player Damion Baugh, league sources told @hoopshype . Charlotte is waiving Baugh to clear a spot for the addition of Antonio Reeves on a two-way contract." ESPN's Shams Charania had first reported that the Hornets were signing Reeves. Via Charania: "The Charlotte Hornets are signing guard Antonio Reeves to a two-way NBA deal, sources tell ESPN. The 2024 Pelicans second-round pick averaged 6.9 points and 40% 3-point shooting in 44 games as a rookie last season."