Patrick Kane faces significant troubling setback in return to the NHL

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Sam Walker
December 5, 2023 (8:22 PM)

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Seven days after signing a contract with the Detroit Red Wings, veteran forward Patrick Kane is experiencing an unexpected setback in his return to NHL action. Despite being deemed 'ready to return to action,' Kane struggled to keep up with the pace of NHL hockey during practice, leading to the decision that he will not make his debut in the upcoming game tonight, nor the teams' past two games.

Kane, who underwent hip resurfacing surgery on June 1, participated in his first full practice with Detroit on Monday. While he expressed that his body "feels good," he acknowledged the challenge of adapting to the heightened game speed and intensity of the current NHL season.

"It's just about the game speed," Kane remarked. "These guys are 25 games into the season. The intensity is ramped up, and everyone's kind of at the top of their game. I'm just trying to find that as quickly as possible."

The 35-year-old, a three-time Stanley Cup champion with the Chicago Blackhawks, was traded to the New York Rangers last season after nearly 16 years with the Blackhawks. Kane, known for his goal-scoring prowess, remains confident that he can regain top-end form for the Red Wings post-surgery.

"I'm trying to have fun with that a little bit more and just build myself back up as we go along,"

said Kane.

The delay in Kane's debut raises questions about the next possible date, with Thursday's home game against San Jose or Saturday's matchup against Ottawa being potential opportunities. Detroit coach Derek Lalonde emphasized the importance of managing Kane's return carefully to ensure his eventual success.

"We'll try to put him in a position to be successful," Lalonde said. "We'll be smart about minutes, and we'll also be smart about who we're playing with him and that it's an opportunity to succeed."

Kane's journey with the Red Wings is eagerly anticipated, with fans and the coaching staff keen on witnessing the veteran's impact on the team.