Detroit Red Wings Head Coach Provides Crucial Health Update On Patrick Kane

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Hunter Bowman
December 26, 2023 (2:27 PM)

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In a surprising twist, long-time NHL player Patrick Kane, synonymous with the Chicago Blackhawks, has taken on a new chapter in his career by joining the once-historic rival, the Detroit Red Wings.

This unexpected move draws parallels to the trade saga of Blackhawks captain Chris Chelios to Detroit in 1999, marking a notable shift in Kane's impressive career.

Kane's arrival in Detroit comes at a challenging time for the team, with a recent slump featuring eight losses in their last ten games. The absence of key players like Dylan Larkin, David Perron's suspension, and injuries to J.T. Compher have added to the Red Wings' struggles. Recent setbacks, including goaltending duo Ville Husso and Alex Lyon being sidelined, further compound their difficulties.

However, amidst these challenges, Detroit remains hopeful for a turnaround. A silver lining emerges in Kane's notable performance, especially considering concerns about his hip's resilience following offseason resurfacing surgery.

At 35, an age often considered "elderly" in hockey, Kane defies expectations, contributing five goals and five assists in 10 games, including an impressive three-goal streak in recent outings.

Head coach Derek Lalonde expressed admiration for Kane's physical condition, acknowledging the initial challenges in managing his ice time amid a depleted lineup. Lalonde remains impressed with Kane's contributions, recognizing the challenges he faced upon joining the team and providing a health update:

«I've been very impressed and surprised with where he's been physically," Lalonde said. "It was really unfair to him when he came in; we had our top two centers out, we had a plan of limiting his ice time, and because we were in these tight games, chasing some of these tight games, he played some back-to-backs and 20 minutes. A little unfair to him. Probably not the best managing of him. But that's where our lineup was.»

Source: Hawksinsider