Everyone has an opinion on what the Detroit Red Wings need to change and improve in order to qualify for the playoffs after the 2024-25 NHL regular season. That includes the people who play for the Red Wings.
For example, Patrick Kane has a five-point plan to lead the Red Wings to the postseason.
“We're all looking to build on what we did last year,” Kane said, “and I think there are definitely increased expectations going into this season, so that's always a good thing.”
I'm excited to be back again! Here's to a great year! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/rPVVgJUi1e
— Patrick Kane (@88PKane) July 1, 2024
“So I'm excited to be a part of it and hopefully we get a chance to have some good regular season and playoff hockey again.”
What does Kane think the Red Wings need to do to end their eight-year drought without an NHL postseason appearance?
The Red Wings can improve their power play.
“Our power play can get better,” Kane said. “I think we can be a top-five team. I think that's a good goal. We were about 10th last year (actually ninth), which is still pretty good, but I think we can get better.”
“I think we can do better on the power play. If you look at the numbers, we scored two goals on the power play, so 18 of our 20 goals were scored at even strength. I think those are pretty good numbers, but we need to have more success on the power play, so we need to step it up a little bit. I'm looking forward to building on that.”
Detroit needs to stop giving up runs.
The Red Wings were 24th in the NHL in goals allowed last season, allowing 273 goals, or 3.329 per game, well above the league average of 3.085 goals allowed per game.
Kane knows that won't be enough if playoff hockey is the goal.
“Obviously, we feel like we can be a better team defensively,” Kane said. “Defense is a key component to winning and getting into the playoffs and it's everybody's responsibility, right? Not just the guy who's in that role, but everybody's got to play better defensively.”
“So we'll just have to work through it as a team and figure out how we want to play in those situations.”
The Red Wings can rely on their depth
A big part of the team's success last season was its scoring depth, and despite the departures of forwards Robby Fabbri (18 points), David Perron (17 points) and Daniel Sprong (18 points) and defensemen Jake Wollman (12 points) and Shayne Gostisbehere (10 points), the offensive talent remains strong from top to bottom.
Captain Dylan Larkin (33), Lucas Raymond (31), Alex DeBrincat (27), Vladimir Tarasenko (23), Kane (20), J.T. Compher (19), Michael Rasmussen (13), Andrew Copp (13) and Joe Veleno (12) all scored in double figures last season.
“Even last year when I came, I was amazed at how much our third- and fourth-line guys were contributing to the team and scoring important goals here and there,” Kane said.
“There hasn't been a lot of pressure on one or two guys, but we have depth on the team so we've been able to fill the net pretty well.”
Improving Chemistry with DeBrincat
Cain and DeBrincat were a dynamic duo in Chicago, and there was evidence in Year 1 of the Detroit experiment that they were finding that level of fluidity again.
“I mean, I definitely think so,” Kane said.
DeBrincat has contributed to six of Kane's 20 goals, a 30% success rate. Kane also assisted on six of DeBrincat's 14 goals in his Red Wings debut on Dec. 7, a 42.8% success rate. And Kane believes the team is capable of doing more.
“We're going to spend time together this summer, training together, skating together, talking about different things, just trying to keep our chemistry going,” Kane said. “He's a really fun kid to be around off the ice, but I think our chemistry on the ice is great and I think we can get even better.”
“So I'm always trying to get to the next level.”
Kane expects to improve
Kane himself is in the equation when it comes to what the Red Wings can improve on. He scored 20 goals in over 50 games last season. What can he bring to the table in his first full season with the Red Wings?
“I think the No. 1 focus for me right now is just getting as prepared as I can for the season and taking the next step in my game and getting to the next level,” Kane said. “I fit in well on and off the ice and had a lot of opportunities to play in good situations, whether it be on the power play or top six minutes.”
Patrick Kane said his hip is feeling “really good” and that his goal next year, his 18th NHL season, is to “take it to the next level” with the Red Wings.
“I feel like my hips and torso are part of my body and everything is one, so I'm really happy with how I feel.” pic.twitter.com/vy7CptcuHE
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) July 8, 2024
The former Hart and Conn Smythe Trophy winner and three-time Stanley Cup champion believes he can contribute to the team in other areas off the ice as well.
“Maybe I've become a little more relied upon by the coaching staff in certain areas, or just in the locker room and in a leadership role,” Kane said. “Obviously I'm 35, turning 36 this year, so I've been around for quite a while and I feel like I can bring a leadership aspect to the team and help the team through good times and bad times.”
