It's been 12 days since NHL free agency began and there are still plenty of players without contracts.
What's especially surprising is that none of the Detroit Red Wings' five unrestricted free agents have earned a contract. Of the five players - Patrick Kane, David Perron, James van Riemsdyk, Travis Hamonic and Cam Talbot - Kane appears to be next on the list for a contract.
If what insiders have surmised is to be believed, there's a strong chance Kane doesn't come back to Detroit. That said, it appears that the Red Wings have planned for this scenario. They already signed Viktor Arvidsson to a two-year deal to add some extra even-strength scoring. All signs indicate that a few young players will make their way to the roster, as well.
But what if that isn't enough?
Kane was fifth in scoring among all Red Wings last season with 57 points in 67 games. There's no guarantee that Arvidsson returns to the highs he hit last season with 54 points in 59 games. What if there was another solution to help make up for Kane's scoring in the aggregate?
NHL insider David Pagnotta believes one can be found in Finnish forward Eeli Tolvanen:
David Pagnotta: Re Red Wings: With Patrick Kane out...presumably out, they're looking to replace that piece; I do wonder about an Eeli Tolvanen - Leafs Morning Take (7/10)
July 12, 2026How Eeli Tolvanen can help the Red Wings
Tolvanen is an even-strength wizard. 22 of the Seattle Kraken forward's 36 points last season came at at 5v5 and 77 of his 92 career goals came at even-strength. Had Tolvanen played on the Red Wings last season, he would have been the most productive member of the bottom-six, outperforming James van Riemsdyk, David Perron, Michael Rasmussen, J.T. Compher, Marco Kasper and Mason Appleton on the scoresheet.
The Finnish forward is, by all accounts, an objective upgrade on the team's bottom-six. His uncanny ability to score at even-strength is a skill the Red Wings desperately need, as the team finished in the bottom third of even-strength scoring in NHL last season.
That said, the Red Wings won't sign Tolvanen until they're sure of one thing: Patrick Kane's fate.
Red Wings still holding out for hope on Kane
Despite what some NHL insiders may speculate, the door hasn't closed on Kane in Detroit just yet. Kane's camp made it clear early in the offseason that a return is certainly possible. It likely comes down to term. Players like Brad Marchand of the Florida Panthers and Sergei Bobrovsky of the Toronto Maple Leafs are both close to Kane's age and have secured multi-year contracts this offseason.
Kane's camp is likely hoping for a longer-term deal after signing a handful of short-term contracts. If a deal is to be made, the Red Wings will likely need to pony up for the long haul.
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