Atlantic Notes: Kane, Panthers, Poltapov
Patrick Kane has signed three straight one-year deals with the Red Wings and it appears they’re hoping to extend that streak. Speaking yesterday to reporters including Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press (Twitter link), GM Steve Yzerman indicated that he would love to keep the 37-year-old in Detroit. Kane had another productive year, recording 16 goals and 41 assists in 67 games in 2025-26, good for fifth on the team in scoring. He’s eligible to sign another bonus-laden contract as long as he signs another one-year pact. However, it’s quite possible that Kane decides to take that type of deal elsewhere in the hopes of having a better shot at postseason success. His two re-signings have come on the eve of free agency so even though he hasn’t signed yet, Yzerman won’t be giving up on keeping Kane in the fold just yet.
More from the Atlantic:
- Less than 72 hours before the start of free agency, the Panthers are still searching for both ends of their goaltending tandem for next season with Sergei Bobrovsky and Daniil Tarasov both pending unrestricted free agents. While providing an overview of Florida’s options between the pipes, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald relays that the team hasn’t given up hope on re-signing Bobrovsky yet. The 37-year-old is believed to be seeking a long-term deal, something that doesn’t seem feasible given that he’s coming off a rough season. It could be a case where both sides could benefit from Bobrovsky testing the open market, then circling back when the potential offers are more certain.
- The Sabres could be eyeing some late-season help already for 2026-27. Speaking to reporters after yesterday’s draft including Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald, assistant GM Jerry Fortin indicated that winger Prokhor Poltapov could join Buffalo next season once his KHL deal ends. The 23-year-old was a second-round pick back in 2021, going 33rd overall but he has remained in his native Russia since then. Poltapov has back-to-back 40-point seasons under his belt with CSKA Moscow with Fortin feeling that he will be “almost a plug-and-play prospect the day he’s ready to come over.” Depending on how far CSKA goes in the playoffs next season, the time he’s ready to come over could be sometime in the spring.
East Notes: Michkov, Benson, Poltapov
One player has taken a clear lead in the heated race for the 2024-25 Calder Trophy as the league’s best rookie. The Philadelphia Flyers announced rookie forward Matvei Michkov has been named the NHL Rookie of the Month for the opening month of the NHL calendar.
The award likely came down to the wire with Montreal Canadiens’ Lane Hutson and Dallas Stars’ Logan Stankoven getting off to strong starts in their own right. Michkov still had the edge with four goals and nine points in 11 contests to begin his NHL career.
He’s also gotten off to an impressive start in the possession game with a 49.3% CorsiFor% at even strength. This metric adds even more credibility to Michkov’s Calder pursuit considering the Flyers are 24th in the league in the category with a 47.8% mark.
Other notes from the Eastern Conference:
- The Buffalo Sabres could be getting a boost to their offense. Heather Engel of NHL.com reports forward Zach Benson is “for sure” a possibility next week. The Sabres’ youngster hasn’t suited up since October 19th due to a lower-body injury and there’s some indication he was playing through the injury toward the start of the season. He’s already skated in six games for Buffalo this year but went scoreless while averaging 14:10 of ice time per night. The Sabres’ coaching staff is hopeful that Benson’s full recovery can put his offensive output back on the right track.
- In worse news for the Sabres organization, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reports Buffalo prospect Prokhor Poltapov has signed a two-year extension with the KHL’s CSKA Moskva. Poltapov was eligible to sign his entry-level contract with the Sabres at the end of the current KHL season but will likely stay through the 2026-27 KHL season. Buffalo drafted Poltapov with the 33rd overall pick of the 2021 NHL Draft and the St. Petersburg, Russia native has seven goals and 16 points through 21 games to start the year.