Artemi Panarin takes a shot at Patrick Kane after he chose Detroit

Earlier this week, coveted free agent Patrick Kane chose to sign a one-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings and is likely to make his season debut on Tuesday in his hometown of Buffalo against the Sabres.

Kane stunned many when he turned down multi-year offers from the aforementioned Sabres and Florida Panthers to move to Detroit. In the sweepstakes earlier in 2023-24, it was reported that Kane was not expected to return to New York Rangers, to whom he was moved at last year’s trade deadline and ended the season with five goals and 12 points in 19 games. Kane is now fully healed from undergoing hip resurfacing surgery on June 1 and will be wearing the Red Wings’ colours.

When asked about his Kane’s decision to join Detroit, Rangers star forward Artemi Panarin was asked if he talked to his former teammate at all, to which the Russian player replied:

“We aren’t friends anymore.”

When Kane was traded to the Blue Shirts last spring, he reunited with Panarin who had been a key player with Kane on the Chicago Blackhawks’ roster.

Now Kane is reuniting with another former Hawks forward with whom he had success in Alex DeBrincat, who after playing for the Ottawa Senators last year was traded to the Red Wings during the offseason.

Kane and DeBrincat were unbelievable together with the Hawks from 2017-18 to 2021-22. DeBrincat scored 41 goals twice and tallied 32 goals in the 56-game season, which would have put him on pace for 46 over 82 games.

This is one of the reasons why Kane chose the Wings, whom he now considers to be contenders for the Stanley Cup. If Detroit reaches the postseason, Kane could face off against the Rangers and his “former friend” Panarin.

They will meet right before the end of the regular season calendar in Hockey Town on April 5th, when the Blue Shirts are visiting.

Can’t wait to see a show down between Kane and Panarin!

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