The Detroit Red Wings missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs once again in 2026. Detroit was first in the Eastern Conference in late January. However, they once again collapsed hard during the months of March and April. They now have to answer major questions this offseason. One of the questions concerns the future of Patrick Kane.
Kane initially joined the Red Wings back in November 2023 after delaying his free agency to recover from hip resurfacing surgery. The future Hall of Famer has had a very successful return to the ice since joining Detroit. In 189 games with the Red Wings, Kane has scored 57 goals and 163 points. He is still one of the most skilled playmakers in the league, even in his late 30s.
On one hand, Kane clearly believes in what the Red Wings are building. He has spent three seasons in the Motor City. And all three of those seasons were spent on one-year contracts. He has had the chance to leave for greener pastures, but has elected to remain with the team that gave him the chance to prove himself coming off hip surgery.
In saying this, though, the Red Wings don’t appear to be winning the Stanley Cup any time soon. Detroit has mostly improved under general manager Steve Yzerman. However, their consistent collapses late in the regular season show that there is a lot of work ahead before they even make the playoffs. Would Kane want to stick in Detroit if the situation shows no clear signs of improvement?
Assuming the future Hall of Famer elects to leave the Red Wings, here are two potential teams that make a lot of sense for Patrick Kane.
Patrick Kane could return to Blackhawks in NHL Free Agency
Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
The previous points about the Red Wings not being ready to win the Stanley Cup soon also apply to the Chicago Blackhawks. So, why does Chicago make sense for Kane? It’s entirely likely that the only rebuilding team the future Hall of Famer would consider in NHL Free Agency is the Blackhawks.
Kane spent the first 15 and a half seasons of his career with Chicago. Along the way, he found immense success in the Windy City. He won the Calder Trophy in 2007-08. Two years later, he won the first of three Stanley Cups with the Blackhawks. He was the league MVP in 2015-16 and was a four-time All-Star with Chicago.
The Blackhawks improved in 2025-26 under Jeff Blashill, and look poised to continue building. Returning to Chicago wouldn’t be about winning a Stanley Cup. It would be about mentoring Connor Bedard and the rest of the young players who will shape the next generation of Blackhawks hockey. If he can help return the team to the Stanley Cup Playoffs before retiring, that would mark a job well done.
Hometown Sabres appear ready for Stanley Cup run
If Kane is only looking to win a Stanley Cup, then his hometown Buffalo Sabres are an intriguing option. The Sabres finally got over the hump in 2025-26, winning the Atlantic Division for the first time. Additionally, it was their first division title since 2009-10 when they won the old Northeast Division.
The Sabres went on to win a playoff series, as well. They defeated the Boston Bruins in the first round before falling to the Montreal Canadiens one game shy of the Eastern Conference Finals. With established stars such as Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin in this locker room, the Sabres have the firepower to make noise.
Kane would certainly play more of a supporting role, but the Sabres may need someone who can play top-six minutes. Alex Tuch is a free agent on July 1, when the new league year begins. Despite his poor performance against the Canadiens, the veteran winger stands to make a significant chunk of change on the open market.
Would Kane represent a true replacement for Tuch? No, especially not in the long term. But he could certainly help soften the blow. And he still brings so much to the table that his addition to the Sabres locker room alone could help Buffalo make another run at the Stanley Cup.
The Detroit Red Wings missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs once again in 2026. Detroit was first in the Eastern Conference in late January. However, they once again collapsed hard during the months of March and April. They now have to answer major questions this offseason. One of the questions concerns the future of Patrick Kane.