USA Should Have Picked Red Wings Kane

There are two Detroit Red Wings performing in the 4 Nations Face-Off. Dylan Larkin is playing for the USA. Lucas Raymond is suiting up for Sweden.

Watching Sidney Crosby, 37, dominate the opening game of the 4 Nations Face-Off, as captain Canada was dishing out three assists and earning player-of-the-game recognition, it was hard not to think that there should be a third Detroit player in the event.

With as much as he’s done for USA Hockey and how much his presence has meant to a generation of American players, didn’t Red Wings forward Patrick Kane deserve a Crosby-like role for the USA?

It is an absolute disgrace that Patrick Kane is not team captain of USA. Greatest American player ever, Olympic medalist, captain at the World Championships, soon to be all time American point leader and he is still an elite player. Shame on hockey politics and Bill Guerin.

— Carter Lundy (@CarterLundy10) February 14, 2025

You know it has to be disappointing to him not to be there for the first best on best NHL international tournament in nearly a decade.

“It’s a privilege and an honor to play for Team USA and you want to be on those teams,” Kane said earlier this season.

Red Wings Kane USA Hockey Legend

Throughout his career, Kane, 36, has answered the USA Hockey call. He’s played for his country in U17, U18 and U20 tournaments. Kane also suited up in three IIHF World Championships, two Olympic Games and a World Cup of Hockey. During the 2018 world tourney, Kane was accumulating 8-12-20 totals in just 10 games.

Overall, he’s pulled on the USA jersey 59 times.

Every young American player looks up to him as the benchmark for US NHLers.

“He was basically our idol growing up,” Detroit forward Christian Fischer said.

Kane’s 1,315 points lead all active American players. It’s nearly double that of Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (709), the second player on the list.

It’s fair to say that Kane’s 2024-25 NHL season was not off to a stellar start. However, of late, he’s resembling the Kane of old. He’s averaging a point a game over the past 21 games.

When the USA won the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, the victory was clearly about the next generation of US stars. Players like Keith Tkachuk, Bill Guerin, Mike Richter, John LeClair and Brian Leetch were paving the way to victory. However, the leader of that team, the glue in the group, was veteran defenseman and future Red Wings star Chris Chelios.

Chelios, 34, at the time, had been playing for USA Hockey over 16 years. He was worshipped by that group, the one they all looked to for leadership.

I miss Patrick Kane playing ice hockey for the United States of America

— Jordie (@jordiebarstool) February 14, 2025

Kane is the first to admit that the US roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off is incredibly deep and talented. This team should win the 4 Nations Face-Off.

“There’s a lot of good players,” Kane said. “There’s a lot of good forwards.”

That doesn’t mean they couldn’t find room for the greatest American forward of this generation.

“It would be an honor to represent your country, especially in those big tournaments like the 4 Nations and Olympics where you’re playing best on best,” Kane said.

An honor he deserved, an honor he’d earned.

One last hurrah that his country should have given to him.