In an unusual move for General Manager Steve Yzerman, who often keeps his plans private, he expressed his desire to retain a veteran player this offseason. During today’s end-of-season press conference, Yzerman clearly stated that he not only wants to re-sign Patrick Kane but also expects the Detroit Red Wings to do so this offseason.
It’s a little surprising given that the 36-year-old veteran is two seasons removed from postseason hockey since joining the Red Wings. Still, with him and Alex DeBrincat’s bromance, and his 0.87 points-per-game average, there’s no questioning the mutual interest between the two sides.
Kane’s next deal will likely be similar to this year’s. On the eve of last season’s free agency period, Detroit re-signed Kane to a one-year, $4MM contract with performance bonuses up to $2.5MM.
Other notes from this evening:
- The Vancouver Canucks may not look outside the organization for their next head coach. In today’s press conference following the departure of former head coach Rick Tocchet, President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford said that Manny Malhotra is on the team’s short list. Aside from spending three years with the Canucks as a player, Malhotra has additionally spent three years as an assistant coach with the club and this season as the head coach of their AHL affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks.
- Circling back to HockeyTown, Yzerman also shared that the team has moved on from their goaltending coach, Alex Westlund. He’s been the team’s goaltending coach for the last three years, and the team hasn’t made any noticeable improvements in that span. Detroit finished 22nd in save percentage this season with a .889 mark while finishing with the 15th most shots against.
Hire Chris Osgood for the next Red Wings goalie coach…
Great idea!
I was thinking the exact same thing, Osgood would make a great Goalie coach.
Need some scoring help, losing Kane would make things worse
Mm, in Kane’s skates, I’d be looking for more of a base salary. Yeah, sooner or later Kane’s going to get old, but he demonstrably isn’t there yet.
He doesn’t need more money at this stage of his career. His kids love it here & it’s a great atmosphere. Wings will finally make the playoffs if Cossa can make the team out of camp!
They’re going to have to overpay free agents and then they will be buried with contracts they cannot move.
Been making this point for a while. Free agents look to play for team in contention, and the Redwings are forced to overpay at this time. Would like to see physical, hard play guys to come in for third and fourth line. Time to let go of some of the soft Swede players, and get some hard liners to bring respect and stand up for the likes of Raymond, Berggren and Kane
Yzerman’s press conference was a total train wreck. What the hell happened to this guy? He used to be a pretty down to earth guy. He’s seemingly morphed into a dictator/autocrat type. Apparently you’re not aloud to question him about anything.
He throws the players under the bus every season for not making the playoffs. Is it possible he’s not putting together a good enough roster every year?
I’m sure this press conference is online somewhere. I’d watch it. His behavior is bizarre.
Allowed.