TAMPA, FL — Marco Kasper broke into a grin as he discussed what it’s like to be teammates with Patrick Kane.
“He’s just a great human being,” Kasper said. “I think that’s the most important thing. He’s awesome. One of the boys, just have fun with him. Every pregame skate, we have a lot of fun, play a bit of a challenge before the game. It’s awesome to see him and be a teammate of his. It’s really cool.
“Obviously, he’s not a bad hockey player, either.”
Not a bad hockey player, indeed: Kane has had a prolific last few months with the Detroit Red Wings, racking up historic milestones: Most recently, on Monday, April 13, becoming the 24th player in NHL history to record 1,400 points. On Jan. 29, Kane became the highest-scoring U.S.-born NHL player in history. And on Jan. 8, Kane became the 50th player in NHL history – and the fifth American-born player – to score 500 career goals.
“Kane has been real good in a miserable month,” coach Todd McLellan said after the 4-3 overtime loss at the Tampa bay Lightning, the Wings’ first game since they were eliminated from the 2026 chase for a playoff spot. “He’s the kind of the bright spot, something to cheer about, get excited for, and we’re all happy for him. He deserves it.”
Kane, 37, has also been the Wings’ second-leading scorer since March 1, his 24 points in 21 games trailing only Alex DeBrincat’s 24.
“I thought I’ve had a good finish to the season,” Kane said. “I think looking back on it, I had a good start. The injury kind of took me a little bit to find my game after that. I was playing well, injured again, so it kind of took me a little while to get back after that.
“You miss some stretches, it’s not easy. But, happy with the way I finished, especially after the Olympic break. It felt really good, so, definitely feel like there’s gas still in the tank.”
Whether that tank will be fueling the Wings again next season remains to be seen. But since joining the franchise in November 2023, Kane has shown again and again how clutch of a player he is even in the twilight of his career – and for a team that has struggled offensively, Kane’s consistency has been a boon. This season, he enters Wednesday’s final game against the Florida Panthers with 57 points (16 goals, 41 assists) in 66 games, two points shy of what he produced in 72 games last season.
“He’s certainly delivered when it comes to offense five-on-five,” McLellan said. “He and Cat are by far two leaders in that category. And obviously we’re short when it comes to that type of scoring.”
If Kane is amenable to a deal similar to the one he signed last summer – $3 million in base plus bonuses – the Wings certainly have the salary cap space to bring him back. Kane said he hasn’t given next season much thought, but “I’ll definitely be playing. I think there’s more in the tank and I’m excited to see what level that can be at.”
Kane built his future Hockey Hall of Fame résumé on his 16 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, leading that Original Six franchise to three Stanley Cups. But he has maintained a thriving late-career tour with the Wings, aided by the enviable chemistry he has with DeBrincat. Kane’s 1,400th point came when he set up DeBrincat’s third-period goal against the Lightning.
“I mean, the friendship, the chemistry – I think the good thing is we’re never really satisfied,” Kane said. “And I could say the same about him ever since he’s come into the league. So it’s always fun to do it with him on my side and be part of it. He’s such a great player, incredible player, incredible kid. I think he’s the definition of a winner. And he’s going to find a way to win one day. I would believe in that kid, you know, a hundred times over and over again.”
On the subject of kids, Kane’s attachment to Detroit has a good deal to do, too, with his son. The boy rarely misses a game at Little Caesars Arena, and can often be seen and heard after games in the locker room.
“The best thing about him is he wants us to win,” Kane said. “It’s a really fun age, 5 years old – him being part of it and just kind of knowing what’s going on now. And especially with different things that have happened this year, individually and team-wise, and the excitement he gets just being around the team and conversations with the guys. It’s incredible. I think the organization and the Red Wings have been incredible to me and my family. That’s something that you definitely realize.”
Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com.
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Next up: Panthers
Matchup: Red Wings (41-30-10) at Florida (39-38-4); season finale.
Faceoff: 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 15; Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, Florida.
TV/radio: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit; WXYT-AM (1270).
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Latest milestone for Patrick Kane gets Red Wings teammates revved up
Reporting by Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
