Pitfalls ahead for Patrick Kane in Detroit

Veteran forward Patrick Kane made his season debut with the Detroit Red Wings in last night’s 6-5 loss to the San Jose Sharks. Kane did not record a point, recorded a -1 rating, but racked up three shots on goal as he will continue to find ways to fit into the Red Wings’ system this season.

However, Adam Proteau of the Hockey News wants fans and pundits to tread lightly with their expectations of Kane in Detroit, pointing not only to the new teammates and system, but especially to his recovery from hip surgery:

“We can’t forget that, as we’ve seen recently with Washington star center Nicklas Backstrom, attempting to restart your NHL career after major surgery is no small task, and there could be pitfalls ahead for Kane in Detroit.”

He adds: “Wings coach Derek Lalonde will almost certainly choose to keep Kane on a budget plan as far as his on-ice minutes go, and that’s the right approach. It’s not as if Detroit is desperate for standings points. At this stage, they should be carefully easing Kane into action and moving forward from there.”

It is true that at 35, Kane doesn’t have anything to prove to anyone at this point in his career. I get that he would love to add a fourth championship to his Hockey Hall of Fame career, but he needs to consider life after hockey and his overall health and well-being.

As Proteau concludes:

“The way Kane’s body responds to hip resurfacing surgery will dictate how much longer he can play, but right now, a wait-and-see philosophy is the right one for him. Things could work out as hoped, but they just as easily could lead to an abrupt end for him.”

Let's hope for the best with Kane's first season under the Derek Lalonde and the Red Wings, and see how comfortable he remains on the ice and with his health.

Life is bigger than hockey, and it is good of Proteau to make sure fans can have realistic expectations for Kane, who does not need to remind us that he is a star forward that will one day make his way to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

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