The Detroit Red Wings received tremendous production from Patrick Kane last season and currently hold the best odds of re-signing the eventual first-ballot Hall Of Famer. According to BetMichigan, the Detroit Red Wings are +115 (46.5% chance) to re-up the former Calder, Art Ross, and Hart Trophy winner.
The second-best odds to sign Kane belong to the Boston Bruins at +800 (11.1%). According to general manager Don Sweeney, the Atlantic Division rival Bruins are expected to explore adding more scoring to their lineup this summer. The Bruins had been in on the Kane sweepstakes this past season before the crafty scoring winger elected to join the Red Wings, and this summer, Boston will presumably have more salary cap space to work with than they had last fall.
The Colorado Avalanche are a close third when it comes to adding Patrick Kane this summer via free agency at +850 (10.5%). I don't even want to imagine Kane playing alongside the likes of Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Cale Makar. In fact, I don't want to picture any player I like dawning that Avalanche uniform. Yes, I come from that generation of Red Wings fans who despise the Avalanche, and it will never change.
Rounding out the odds aside from taking the field are the Dallas Stars (9.1%), Florida Panthers (8.7%), New York Rangers (6.5%), and Buffalo Sabres (6.5%).
The Detroit Red Wings maintain the best odds of signing pending free agent Patrick Kane.
Kane quickly proved to be a valuable piece for the Detroit Red Wings nearly immediately after joining the organization last fall. At the time of the signing, things were a bit murky regarding Kane's future and ability to remain healthy for the duration of the season after rehabbing from the complicated hip resurfacing surgery, but Kane's on-ice production and positive locker room presence proved more valuable than most expected, all things considered.
Kane provided the Red Wings with 20 goals and 47 points over 50 games last season and led the club with seven game-winning goals, averaging over 18 minutes per night. Kane was also three for four in shootout attempts.
Recently, Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli and Colby Cohen discussed Kane’s next contract. Cohan mentioned that he'd expect it to be a two-year deal that averages $4 million per season. I think I’d be willing to give him two years at $4 million per season.
"I don’t think I would go any higher than that, based off the age (35). He was at around a point per game, and he was coming off hip surgery, so I think he’ll be a better player next season. But it has to be the right fit. When he’s around, his aura is very large: who has to have the puck on the power play, who has to be out there in certain situations. I’d be careful."
If this is the contract it will take to re-sign Kane, it's a no-brainer for Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman. I expected this number to come in closer to $5 million per season and for three years rather than two, but remember, retaining Kane won't come without consequences.