The Red Wings’ addition of Patrick Kane brings roster questions

The Detroit Red Wings have signed winger Patrick Kane to a one-year, $2.75 million that is all salary and includes no bonuses. While this has been rumored for a while, it came true on Tuesday and he participated in practice on Wednesday.

Detroit has brought one of the best and most productive U.S.-born players into the fold in search of a Stanley Cup.

Kane will give the Red Wings a Hall of Famer and another weapon offensively. He is still recovering from hip resurfacing surgery on June 1, 2023.

Right now, Detroit has to make sure Kane is in game shape and prepared for game speed before they place him in a full-time role where he can be successful.

Kane appeared in 19 games last season for the New York Rangers, scoring five goals and seven assists for 12 points. He spent the previous 16 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, producing 446 goals and 779 assists for 1,225 points in 1,161 games.

Patrick Kane is going to be a member of the Detroit Red Wings in 2023-24

With the big news being on Kane, the Detroit Red Wings also announced that captain Dylan Larkin is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. In another transaction, Detroit recalled forward Jonatan Berggren from Grand Rapids.

With that said, the roster could be in trouble. When Larkin comes back and Kane is fully ready to go, the roster will be at 24 players.

That includes 14 forwards, seven defensemen, and three goaltenders. Two forwards may have to go, whether it be being waived, traded, or sent down to Grand Rapids. When Larkin and Kane are placed in the lineup, this Detroit team will be scary good at the forward position.

Is this move to bring Kane in going to make Detroit a Stanley Cup favorite? Not yet as there are many things that would have to fall into place for that to happen.

If Kane does get into the lineup and does not produce as expected or does not feel like he can go, the team has the option of placing him on long-term injured reserve (LTIR), which may open up a spot or two.

This is a huge signing for Detroit if Kane can come in and produce as expected, giving the Red Wings a legit top nine. The question is where will he play in the lineup? Most have predicted that he will be on the second line with former Blackhawk and teammate Alex DeBrincat.

Detroit may want to ease him into the lineup after his recent surgery, maybe getting him on the third line to reduce his minutes and get him used to NHL action again.

Whatever line he fits into, he instantly makes this team better. A single team is not going to add a future Hall-of-Famer and get worse. This may well be the year that Detroit once again makes noise in the playoffs.