Patrick Kane is playing like he's 27 years old, and you would never guess he underwent a hip resurfacing procedure two years ago to continue his career. When Kane signed with the Detroit Red Wings in 2023, it made sense to think he would be a role player. Someone in the middle six who could put up supplementary scoring.
Fast-forward to 2025-26, and Kane could be in line for a multiyear extension, albeit a short one, given his advanced age. So far, the Wings have been signing Kane to one-year deals, and rightfully so. He hasn't looked like the player he was in Chicago, despite putting up solid numbers and showing he can still play in the top six.
But to open 2025-26 and average over a point per game? Right now, Kane has five points and two goals in four contests, putting him on pace for between 102 and 103 points. While it's tough to imagine him keeping up that pace, it's not unrealistic to think he will be a point-per-game player.
Red Wings should stop looking at Patrick Kane as a short-term fix
Of course, it depends on how long Kane wants to keep playing, and it's not like the Red Wings don't have a potential replacement or two they can insert. But if Kane keeps playing this way, Steve Yzerman needs to entice him into signing on for another two or three seasons, because Kane has officially landed in that Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin tier: Someone who can play at a high, or even an elite level, at an advanced age.
Any concern regarding his hip should have dissipated by now, and really, any about a potential drop in production. It's also worth noting that Kane is fourth on the team among forwards in average total ice time, at 17:07. He's showing durability right now that is tough for most players his age to maintain.
This doesn't mean the Wings need to sign Kane to a lucrative extension by any means. He won't be in their long-term plans, but he's more than a short-term player. Another two or three seasons in Hockeytown would all but guarantee stability at winger in the second line, and if the Wings want to put a younger player there in 2026-27 or 2027-28, then Kane can move down the lineup and provide scoring depth.
Red Wings are in a can't-lose situation with Patrick Kane
Kane doesn't need to be a star player these days with the likes of Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, Marco Kasper, and Alex DeBrincat leading the way. But Kane, looking like the surefire Hall of Fame talent he was while in Chicago, is a bonus, especially for a team looking to fight its way back into the playoffs.
Kane's going to help this team win, and he's showing no signs of a steep decline. So, keep him around in Detroit for as long as he's capable of putting up 20-25 goals a season, and 50-plus points. And right now, Kane is clearing that threshold with ease.