The Detroit Red Wings are staring inevitability in the eye.
Time comes for us all. Sooner or later, the athletes that take to the ice have to hang up their skates. Other times, they choose to seek a fresh start somewhere else. For Red Wings winger Patrick Kane, the roads diverge along two drastically different paths. There's a chance (albeit, a small chance) that Kane decides to give it another go in Detroit. There's another chance he decides to sign with another team.
Sooner or later, though, there will come a time where Kane is no longer a Red Wing -- and the team will need to contend with that reality sooner than later. Kane is 37 and is no longer playing at a Hart Trophy-caliber level. His production has taken a hit and his power play has left a lot to be desired this season. While he had a fantastic two goal night against the Calgary Flames, it's clear that Kane is steadily approaching the end of his illustrious NHL career.
Whether he retires now or well into the future is anyone's guess. But, when he does leave, the Red Wings need a contingency plan in place. They need a top-six winger as soon as possible.
A solution from within
The first (and most obvious) solution to this problem is to upgrade another winger. The Red Wings have quite a few at their disposal. On the roster, they can push Emmitt Finnie or Marco Kasper up to the second line rather than platoon them where they're needed. It might even be time for Michael Brandsegg-Nygard to have his moment.
The question remains, however, on whether or not the Red Wings can replace Kane's production. The flashy forward sits on a solid 40 points in 53 games. Despite a measurable dip in production, 40 points is still 40 points. That kind of production doesn't just manifest itself out of nowhere.
Whoever takes on Kane's role on the second line and top power play unit has some big shoes to fill. They'll need to establish chemistry with Alex DeBrincat (and whoever fills in at as the center moving forward) as well as perfect the art of passing.
Red Wings could seek outside help
There's a chance the solution comes from an external source. While the Red Wings have struggled at pro scouting in recent years, the current crop of unrestricted free agents is quite promising. Should the Buffalo Sabres and Alex Tuch not agree on salary, the Red Wings could steal away one of the best players on their rival's team. If they're looking for a more familiar face, Anthony Mantha is having an outstanding year for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Players like Viktor Arvidsson and Michael Bunting can add some additional middle-six scoring as well. After all, the replacement for Kane doesn't have to come from one place specifically. Perhaps the team decides to spread out the scoring among the lines and gives each teammate a little extra help.
Still, question are abound when it comes to this roster's makeup next season. Will there be buyouts? Trades? Something has to change in order to help this team take the next step. Sooner or later, that change will involve Patrick Kane. It's on general manager Steve Yzerman to find a solution to this eventual problem.