Patrick Kane has signed three straight one-year deals with the Red Wings and it appears they’re hoping to extend that streak. Speaking yesterday to reporters including Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press (Twitter link), GM Steve Yzerman indicated that he would love to keep the 37-year-old in Detroit. Kane had another productive year, recording 16 goals and 41 assists in 67 games in 2025-26, good for fifth on the team in scoring. He’s eligible to sign another bonus-laden contract as long as he signs another one-year pact. However, it’s quite possible that Kane decides to take that type of deal elsewhere in the hopes of having a better shot at postseason success. His two re-signings have come on the eve of free agency so even though he hasn’t signed yet, Yzerman won’t be giving up on keeping Kane in the fold just yet.
More from the Atlantic:
- Less than 72 hours before the start of free agency, the Panthers are still searching for both ends of their goaltending tandem for next season with Sergei Bobrovsky and Daniil Tarasov both pending unrestricted free agents. While providing an overview of Florida’s options between the pipes, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald relays that the team hasn’t given up hope on re-signing Bobrovsky yet. The 37-year-old is believed to be seeking a long-term deal, something that doesn’t seem feasible given that he’s coming off a rough season. It could be a case where both sides could benefit from Bobrovsky testing the open market, then circling back when the potential offers are more certain.
- The Sabres could be eyeing some late-season help already for 2026-27. Speaking to reporters after yesterday’s draft including Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald, assistant GM Jerry Fortin indicated that winger Prokhor Poltapov could join Buffalo next season once his KHL deal ends. The 23-year-old was a second-round pick back in 2021, going 33rd overall but he has remained in his native Russia since then. Poltapov has back-to-back 40-point seasons under his belt with CSKA Moscow with Fortin feeling that he will be “almost a plug-and-play prospect the day he’s ready to come over.” Depending on how far CSKA goes in the playoffs next season, the time he’s ready to come over could be sometime in the spring.
