The Daily: Red Wings Need Kane Signed Quickly; Rudy Now 21-0

If you look at what GM Steve Yzerman must do this summer to make the Detroit Red Wings more competitive, it seems obvious that the first step should be probably to get Patrick Kane signed as soon as possible.

When you put a puzzle together, you need your corner pieces on the board first.

At his exit interviews, Kane said there is mutual interest in that happening.

The timing is important because this is a summer Yzerman needs to know how much cap space he had before the July 1 free agent season kicks off. Last season, it was challenging for the Red Wings because they weren’t sure what it was going to cost them to re-sign Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond.

If they can get Kane signed early, it will make it easier for them to know where they stand going into July 1. That’s critical because, the Red Wings must sign or trade for a proven scorer. They were among the NHL’s worst five-on-five scoring team, and that was with Kane having a quality offensive season.

Right now, they have three productive wingers (Raymond, Kane and Alex DeBrincat) to play with Dylan Larkin and Marco Kasper. The Red Wings desperately need a fourth. The UFA group this summer will be led by Mitch Marner, Sam Bennett, John Tavares, Brock Boeser and Nikolaj Ehlers among others. Detroit also need added scoring in their bottom six forward group.

It feels promising for the Red Wings to get Kane signed. However, you never know how money negotiations will play out. Trying to complete a deal immediately will also tell the Red Wings if there is a chance he could end up elsewhere.

If they need to add two proven scorers, instead of one, they probably need to know that ASAP.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Former Detroit player Valtteri Filppula is thinking about retiring.

Captain Dylan Larkin didn’t think the Red Wings did enough to improve the team at the trade deadline.

Elmer Soderblom is going to play in the AHL playoffs for the Grand Rapids Griffins as soon as he recovers from his injury.

Red Wings Extra

Detroit goaltending prospect Rudy Guimond remained unbeaten (21-0) after making 19 saves for the Moncton Wildcats in a series-clinching 5-4 win against Baie-Comeau Drakkar, The win allowed the Wildcats to wrap up their best-of-seven QMJHL series 4-1. Guimond, heading to Yale next fall, was 16-0 in the regular-season and now 5-0 in the playoffs. He boasts a 2.02 GAA and .922 save percentage thus far in the playoffs.

Hockey Now Network

Colorado: Mackenzie Blackwood gets the job done in net in Game 1 against the Dallas Stars. Colorado Avalanche.

Florida: Matthew Tkachuk practiced with the Panthers Saturday in anticipation of playing in Game 1. Florida Panthers.

Montreal: David Savard announced that he plans to retire after this season. Montreal Canadiens.

Philadelphia: Jakob Pelletier has turned out to be better than expected for the Philadelphia Flyers. 

Pittsburgh: Erik Karlsson speaks about his frustration and his uncertain future with the Pittsburgh Penguins.