NHL.com has the fantasy hockey spin on forward Patrick Kane signing with the Detroit Red Wings for the 2023-24 season. For more fantasy coverage, visit NHL.com/Fantasy.
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The Detroit Red Wings signed right wing Patrick Kane to a one-year contract on Nov. 28, boosting an already potent offense and their chances of making the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The 35-year-old made his Red Wings and season debut against the San Jose Sharks on Dec. 7 after recovering from hip resurfacing surgery June 1 and should be considered a fringe top 100 overall fantasy player for the rest of the season.
The Red Wings ranked fourth in the NHL in goals per game (4.70) at the time of the Kane signing and are led by the elite duo of center Dylan Larkin and Alex DeBrincat. Kane and DeBrincat have chemistry from their time as teammates with the Chicago Blackhawks from 2017-22; Kane had at least 75 points in four of their five seasons together, and DeBrincat had two 41-goal seasons in Chicago.
UPDATE: Larkin (upper body) has been placed on injured reserve. Kane is playing on a line with DeBrincat and center Joe Veleno following Larkin's injury and has scored a power-play goal with 11 shots on goal in his first three games with Detroit.
Kane should see plenty of ice time with fantasy-relevant defensemen Moritz Seider and Shayne Gostisbehere and could help Detroit’s power play (22.4 percent; ninth in NHL) reach another gear.
A three-time Stanley Cup champion with the Blackhawks (2010, 2013, 2015), Kane has two seasons of at least 44 goals and 106 points. After being acquired by the New York Rangers last season prior to the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline, Kane had 18 points (six goals, 12 assists) in 26 games over the regular season and playoffs combined.
He ranks third in the NHL in points (1,237 in 1,180 games) since entering the League in 2007-08 at the time of the signing behind Sidney Crosby (1,304 in 1,050 games) of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Alex Ovechkin (1,299 in 1,202 games) of the Washington Capitals and second in even-strength points over that span (834) behind Crosby (863).
The Red Wings have been one of the biggest surprises at the one-quarter mark of the NHL season and have a realistic chance of returning to the postseason under coach Derek Lalonde after missing in seven straight seasons. Kane, who won the Conn Smythe Trophy voted most valuable player of the 2013 postseason, is tied for fifth in playoff points (138 in 143 games) since entering the NHL.
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