The Daily: UFA Class So Good Kane Didn’t Make Cut; Augustine Update

Nothing speaks to the strength of the July 1 UFA list than the fact Sportsnet didn’t rank Detroit Red Wings’ Patrick Kane on their Top 12 list. Kane was listed under the category of “More Notable UFAs in 2024.” He comes right before former Red Wings player Tyler Bertuzzi.

This is the summer to land a high impact offensive player. The five players on Sportsnet’s UFA list: 1. Florida’s Sam Reinhart; 2. Carolina’s Jake Guentzel; 3. Florida’s Brandon Montour; 4. Vancouver’s Elias Lindholm; 5. Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos.

With two players in the top three, the contending Florida Panthers probably have the most worry. The Carolina Hurricanes could be looking at No. 2 Guentzel as a pure rental (or maybe not), but also have Brett Pesce (No. 8) and Teuvo Teravainen (No. 9)

Another contender, the Vegas Golden Knights, have two in the top 12 in Jonathan Marchessault (No. 6) and Chandler Stephenson (No. 12).

It’s baffling that Kane didn’t make the top 12. He has been as high as No. 5 on other lists.  He showed he is still playing at an elite level, especially with his ability to control the puck and pass. But this is an exceptional summer to find a quality UFA.

Most goals in a full Panthers season:

62 — Sam Reinhart (this season)
59 — Pavel Bure
58 — Pavel Bure

Did anyone expect this kind of production? pic.twitter.com/XZFNnmZLnE

— Big Head Hockey (@BigHeadHcky) May 15, 2024

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Marco Kasper‘s play in the Grand Rapids Griffins’ postseason is giving Detroit fans hope. He put up three zpoints, including the GWG, in the Griffins’ 4-2 win over Milwaukee in Game 1.

Do the Red Wings have a goalie issue? Bob Duff looks at the up-and-down Red Wings tenure of Ville Husso.

Carter Mazur has a feisty playing style to go with his scoring touch.  He scored again Wednesday for the Griffins in their playoff game. Detroit fans could see Mazur up next season at some point.

Red Wings Offseason

Former Red Wings goalie Alex Nedeljkovic is the expected starter for Team USA when it takes on France at the World Championships today (2 p.m.). Team USA hasn’t yet named a goalie to replace injured Alex Lyon. That means Detroit prospect Trey Augustine is still today’s backup goalie.

Hockey Now Network

Colorado: Evan Rawal writes that Cale Makar showed again why “he’s the best” with his performance in Wednesday must-have win against Dallas. Colorado Avalanche.

Pittsburgh: Defenseman Kris Letang is among three Pittsburgh players who had significant surgery since the end of the regular-season. Pittsburgh Penguins

San Jose: Key prospect Will Smith (drafted fourth overall in 2023) said he still has not decided whether to leave Boston College to sign with the San Jose Sharks.