Experienced NHL observer: Patrick Kane rejoining the Detroit Red Wings wouldn’t be a significant development.

As the Detroit Red Wings’ playoff aspirations hang in the balance, discussions have emerged regarding the potential return of Patrick Kane to the team. Questions abound: Does Kane harbor a desire to don the red and white of the Winged Wheel once more? Is there mutual interest from general manager Steve Yzerman’s side? And what contractual terms regarding salary and duration would satisfy Kane?

These inquiries become particularly pertinent if the Red Wings fail to clinch a playoff berth. Heading into Saturday’s matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Red Wings found themselves just one point shy of securing a postseason position. The Pittsburgh Penguins, who edged past Detroit with a 6-5 overtime victory on Thursday, currently occupied the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, ahead of both Detroit and the Washington Capitals.

While Kane has garnered admiration from Detroit fans and the local media, one might ponder why this sentiment persists. Indeed, does his potential return truly hold significance? The answer might surprise some. Despite his notable offensive contributions, boasting 20 goals and 24 assists in 47 games, Kane’s prowess as a scorer alone might not suffice.

Critics argue that Detroit requires a more physical presence and stronger two-way players. Kane’s return, while impressive in its own right following hip-resurfacing surgery, hasn’t been transformative. His style of play, primarily focused on offense and lacking in defensive contributions, raises questions about his fit within Detroit’s lineup. The expectations of reigniting chemistry with former Chicago Blackhawks teammate Alex DeBrincat haven’t materialized, with DeBrincat’s recent goal-scoring drought highlighting the issue.

This critique isn’t aimed solely at Kane; rather, it reflects broader concerns about the Red Wings’ ongoing rebuild under Yzerman’s leadership. Despite inheriting a challenging situation, the progress has been slow. Therefore, the scrutiny of Kane’s potential return is contextualized within these broader concerns.

Statistically, the Red Wings’ performance with Kane in the lineup hasn’t been exceptional, with a winning percentage of .478 over his 47 games and a marginal decline in power-play efficiency. While Kane has delivered crucial game-winning goals, doubts linger about whether he addresses the team’s fundamental needs.

In light of Kane’s lukewarm response to the prospect of returning, coupled with the likelihood of Detroit missing the playoffs, the possibility arises that he may seek opportunities elsewhere. While Yzerman may pursue Kane to bolster offensive capabilities, the ultimate decision will likely hinge on Kane’s assessment of where he can best contend for a Stanley Cup.