For the second time this season, Patrick Kane is injured and will miss multiple games. That's bad news on multiple fronts for the Detroit Red Wings. Kane is one of their better point producers, with 23 so far in 24 games. But he's starting to wear the injury-prone label and, at 37, that's a massive red flag.
It indicates that Kane's durability isn't what it was, and if the Wings want to preserve him, if they make a playoff run, limiting his ice time could be the way to go. That also means one of the depth scorers must step up and play consistent hockey.
At best, the Wings' depth forwards have been a toss-up. They have played well at times, especially that fourth line. But for a team that's clearly in the playoff race, they can't afford to have their third and fourth lines step up and score every now and again. It must be consistent, and right now, that isn't happening.
Detroit Red Wings need veterans to step up with Patrick Kane missing time
Right now, the Wings' best forward averaging less than 16 minutes per game is Andrew Copp, who has 16 points and three goals in 33 games. Not bad numbers, but the problem is, Copp has recently joined the second line, thanks to Marco Kasper's inefficiency producing points.
The next-best points producer on the list is J.T. Compher, who has four goals and 11 points in 33 contests. That averages to one-third of a point per game. Mason Appleton, Michael Rasmussen, and James van Riemsdyk are next, and none of them has more than nine points. JVR has seven goals, but that production has come in bursts and it hasn't been consistent.
This could be Nate Danielson's time to shine. The rookie has been spending time on the fourth line getting acclimated to the NHL, playing both center and wing. Is it time to see what he can do with middle-six minutes? It may not be a bad call. With eight points and two goals in 18 games across 10:58 of average ice time, Danielson could ultimately fill the gap.
John Leonard will also get his chance with Patrick Kane out
Word has it that John Leonard will get the first crack at filling in for Kane. Leonard has been electric in the AHL, with 19 goals and 29 points in 20 contests, so it's easy to feel optimistic about him coming in.
Still, Leonard has never carved out a niche in the NHL, and he's in his age-27 season. He hasn't played regularly in the NHL since 2020-21, when he appeared in 44 contests, and has 70 games of NHL experience with 17 points and six goals. Leonard is not a viable fill-in for Patrick Kane, and that's all there is to it.
If the Red Wings are going to keep scoring at will, as they are 11th in scoring right now with 102 goals, their depth forwards must play more consistent hockey. They have more scoring potential than John Leonard, and Nate Danielson has way more long-term potential. It would be great to see Leonard picking up where Kane left off, but he's not going to save the Red Wings.
This will take a collective effort. And if they can't get it together without Kane, then they'd better hope he stays healthy when he returns. The Wings are 13-8-3 this season when Kane is playing, so he has made a clear impact when he's on the ice and producing.