Have you seen who is ranked seventh in the NHL Eastern Conference? The Detroit Red Wings, who are happily heading towards their first playoff appearance in eight years. Veteran Patrick Kane has a lot to do with this metamorphosis.
His performance shows that he has recovered very well from his hip surgery in the offseason. He was signed as a free agent on November 28 and is averaging more than a point per game.
In 28 games, his offensive record includes 12 goals and 18 assists, for a total of 30 points. He is his team's leading scorer in February with 14 points in nine games. Three of the five goals he scored this month gave the Red Wings a win.
And all for a one-year contract with a salary of 2.75 million.
A blessing!
No interest in Canadians
Wondering if the Canadian should have made him an offer?
At that price, there's no doubt he could have afforded it.
The problem is that Kane had the choice to join a team of his choice and I don't think Montreal was on his list.
Last Sunday he celebrated his return to Chicago by scoring the winning goal in overtime. Hawks fans gave him a big ovation, having already experienced their fair share of emotions that day when the number 7 that Chris Chelios wore during his nine seasons with the Hawks was retired.
17 full houses in 18 games
Kane's presence is felt at every level with the Red Wings. Before his arrival, the team was sold out only twice in its first twelve home games, the season opener and the American Thanksgiving.
Since then, the 19,515 places have been allocated for 17 of a total of 18 games.
According to the Hockey DB website, the Red Wings are in fourth place in average attendance with 18,916 spectators.
The Canadian – yes! -, is at the top with an average of 21,094. For those who would dispute this number, please note that this is the number of tickets sold and not the number of spectators who show up at the Bell Centre.
The Edmonton Oilers are in second place with an average attendance of 19,556 and the Tampa Bay Lightning are in third place with 19,012.
Yzerman has the lucky hand
Who says Red Wings is thinking about rebuilding? But it's half the truth.
The roster currently only includes five players selected in the draft, all first-round picks. They are Swedish striker Lucas Raymond, fourth pick in the 2020 draft; German defenseman Moritz Seider, sixth pick in 2019; Montreal-born forward Joe Veleno, 30th pick in 2018; Vancouver home center Michael Rasmussen, ninth in 2017; and American center and captain Dylan Larkin, 15th in 2014.
General manager Steve Yzerman has made deals and acquired players on the free agent market that are producing positive results. Alex DeBrincat is enjoying success as part of the Red Wings' first line, completed by the Larkin-Kane duo.
Amsterdam-born Quebecer Daniel Sprong, who was signed as a free agent, is doing well, as shown by his tally of 16 goals and 22 assists in 58 games. Last season with the Seattle Kraken, he scored 21 goals and totaled 46 points in 66 games.
But Yzerman makes no claims to victory. He is the first to say that he still has a lot to do. But at least the Red Wings appear to have emerged from the darkness.