After an underwhelming 2022-23 campaign with the New York Rangers that ultimately led to off-season hip surgery, Patrick Kane bounced back in a big way last season with the Detroit Red Wings. 

With 20 goals and 47 points in 50 games, the 35-year-old helped bring excitement back to hockeytown and nearly got them into the playoffs. Last season, showed Kane can be a key contributor to any aspiring playoff team when healthy.

The three-time Stanley Cup champion is definitely in the twilight of his hall of fame career, but he can be a valuable addition to any aspiring contender.

Detroit Red Wings:

Last season seemed like a match made in heaven for the Red Wings and Kane. The Buffalo, New York native provided his patented offensive production and even put home three overtime winners for Detroit last season.

Perhaps Kane’s best moment came in his return to Chicago where he finished off a breakaway in overtime to beat his former team.

While Kane found success with the Red WIngs, it’s hard to tell if both sides are open to a reunion. Detroit did fail to make the playoffs last season, and with a relatively young core set in place, it may be difficult for them to make a multi-year commitment to someone Kane’s age.

The Red WIngs will have a projected $31.8 million in cap space entering free agency, so they aren’t exactly strapped for cash.

Including aging winger David Perron, Christian Fischer, and Daniel Sprong, Kane is just the fourth UFA for Detroit’s forward core. You could argue him and Sprong are the only two they’d be looking to resign.

The bottom line is… it worked last year, and Kane seemed to love his time in Detroit, but are the Red Wings willing to bank on the future hall of famer repeating that production for 2023-24 in his 19th season?

Dallas Stars:

With Joe Pavelski retiring, Ryan Suter being bought out, and Matt Duchene potentially leaving in free agency, the Dallas Stars could be in need of some veteran leadership come July 1.

Kane feels like the right player to fill that void.

The Stars have been on the cusp of winning it all for the last half decade. With a cup final loss in 2020 to the Tampa Bay Lightning, and multiple conference final appearances, including last season against the Edmonton Oilers, Dallas is right there.

Adding Kane and placing him in a top 6 role could put them over the top.

Benn, Seguin, Johnston, Stankoven, Robertson, and Kane… that looks solid.

Dallas has a perfect group of youth and leadership and Kane would add championship experience to that dressing room and allow them to go on another deep playoff run.

The Stars have a projected $16 million in cap space heading into free agency – plenty of room to make Kane coming to the lone star state a reality. 

Boston Bruins:

The Bruins have been linked to Kane ever since his departure from Chicago.

After missing out on him in both courting attempts, now could be the perfect time to land the highest scoring American in NHL history.

It seems ever more likely Boston will lose winger Jake Debrusk, and while Kane’s play style doesn’t exactly mirror Debrusk, he could be a quality replacement for the 27-year-old Debrusk.

Kane could flourish at TD garden and provide the Bruins the secondary scoring needed to contend in the east.

In theory, Boston can make a multi-year commitment with Kane happen, as the Bruins come into free agency with a projected $25 million in cap space.

While Boston is always in contention, having a proven winner and playoff producer in the lineup come playoff time is never a bad thing.

Prediction: Kane signs a two-year, $9 million deal ($4.5 million AAV) with the Dallas Stars

Adding Kane to Dallas’ forward group feels like a cup-contending move. While he will turn 36 next season, it looks like Kane will always possess the ability to make play and produce at a consistent level when healthy.

Dallas ran out of gas in the conference finals, and adding someone who’s won it all three times could be the move to propel them through the gauntlet that is the western conference.

Kane will slide right into the top 6, and provide much needed leadership, along with Benn and Seguin, for Logan Stankoven and Wyatt Johnston.

Dallas’ core is strong, but partly aging.

Bringing Kane into the lineup should allow them to compete for a cup for the next few seasons.