Detroit — One week past the start of unrestricted free agency, and Patrick Kane remains without a team.
Whether that bodes well, or not, for the Red Wings remains to be seen.
But the Wings could be preparing for life without their veteran forward.
As the days keep getting ripped off the calendar, Kane’s reluctance to re-sign with the Wings could mean his three-year stay in Detroit is done.
Possible reasons? They’re beginning to pile up:
Captain Dylan Larkin’s trade demand and the likelihood Larkin has played his last game as a Wing. Without Larkin, a consistent 30-goal scorer and one of the top two-way centers in the NHL, the Wings’ path to ending a streak of 10 consecutive years without making the playoffs looks grim.
For Kane, that would mean no chance of getting another playoff run, and another opportunity to win a Stanley Cup.
Kane and Larkin also had a relationship going back to playing together on Team USA at the world championships. Not having Larkin around might be a reason for Kane to leave, also.
The future of Kane’s linemate Alex DeBrincat.
The two have been dynamic as linemates going back to their years together in Chicago. There’s no denying they have a chemistry on the ice, instinctively knowing where to locate each other on the ice.
But DeBrincat, who led the Wings with 41 goals and 85 points last season, only has one more season left before he is eligible to hit the UFA market. DeBrincat will earn $7.875 million this season and judging by the way salaries have been exploding in the NHL this summer given salary caps going up this season and beyond, it’s likely DeBrincat can reel in a $12 million per season contract, at minimum.
The Wings would likely be comfortable going that high, or somewhat higher, to retain the Farmington Hills native. But would DeBrincat, 28, be open to re-signing with the Wings if Kane and Larkin aren’t with the Wings, and the organization was facing another rebuild or retooling?
Kane, 36, has several quality options available to him this summer.
Foremost is the chance to play for his hometown Buffalo Sabres, who ended a 14-year playoff drought last season and appear poised to be a contender for the forseeable future.
The Sabres have been dented this past week in free agency, primarily losing 33-goal scorer Alex Tuch to Washington and dealing defenseman Bowen Byram in a trade to Chicago. But the Sabres have several young players who excelled in the playoffs and appear ready for larger roles, and Kane’s experience and offensive savvy would fit nicely into what the Sabres already have.
And if not Buffalo, there are other opportunities.
The Chicago Blackhawks, where Kane starred and won three Stanley Cups with, are looking for a veteran scorer to pair with young star Connor Bedard.
Now, the Blackhawks aren’t anywhere close to being a playoff team, much less a Stanley Cup contender. But the chance to return to his beloved Chicago, and playing with the exciting Bedard, and possibly getting the Blackhawks closer to being a contending team, could entice Kane.
Or, possibly, playing in Toronto. The Maple Leafs would need to do a little salary cap gymnastics at this point — mainly trading defenseman Morgan Rielly, which they’re expected to do. But going to a Leafs team that has been overhauled, having added No. 1 overall pick Gavin McKenna (who grew up a Kane fan), goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky and defenseman Darren Raddysh — the top free agents at their respective positions — along with a healthy Auston Matthews makes the Leafs a desirable destination.
Kane had 57 points (16 goals, 41 assists) in 67 games last season, but played his best hockey late in the season when the Wings needed it, while much of the lineup was floundering (25 points in last 23 games).
The Wings last week protected themselves against Kane potentially leaving, signing Viktor Arvidsson, 33, to a two-year contract. Arvidsson scored 25 goals with Boston and should be able to replace Kane’s offense.
tkulfan@detroitnews.com
@tkulfan
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: If Patrick Kane doesn’t come back to Red Wings, here is where he could land
Reporting by Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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By Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
