The Daily: Red Wings Can Reunite Toews & Kane; Swedish Love

The character Leroy Jethro Gibbs on the television show NCIS says when it comes to summer free agent rankings involving the Red Wings there’s no such thing as coincidence.

OK, he didn’t say it like that, but he definitely doesn’t believe in coincidence.  Some Red Wings fans didn’t believe in coincidence either when they saw Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews ranked 18th and 19th on TSN’s recently released Top 50 Free Agents. 

Was TSN suggesting that Kane and Toews should be together, like they were all of those years in Chicago?

If that’s the case, then Toews will have to consider Detroit. Every indication is that Kane plans to return to the Red Wings. Team officials seem confident of that enough that the marketing department recently used Kane’s positive comments about the team in a release designed to sell tickets.

At his season-ending press conference, GM Steve Yzerman said he was optimistic he can get Kane signed.

There would be some logic for the Red Wings to consider Toews. They are looking for proven offensive contributors, preferably players capable of playing in their top six. If the Red Wings can’t land one of the premium free agents, or if they do get one, it would make sense to make a play for Toews.

Because no one, including Toews, knows where his game is at that point. He hasn’t played since 2022-23. But there isn’t much risk here, because Toews probably won’t want to play if he is not playing at a high level.

The only other Detroit player on TSN’s Top 50 is goalkeeper Alex Lyon at No. 44.

Red Wings in Case You Missed it

Reports say Detroit among four NHL teams interested in young Czech goalie prospect. 

The Red Wings have a vested interest in the Toledo Walleye championship series because of their goaltending.

Paywall story:  The Red Wings have drafted at least one Swedish player every year since 1993. That probably won’t change this season. We look at why the Red Wings respect Swedish talent.   To subscribe, click here:

Red Wings Extra

Detroit goalie prospect Rudy Guimond’s Moncton Wildcats were eliminated from the Memorial Cup on a 6-2 semifinal loss to the London Knights. Guimond didn’t play in the tournament because the Wildcats went with the more experienced Mathis Rousseau. The Wildcats’ loss means that no Detroit draft pick has won the Memorial Cup since Martin Frk (Halifax) won in 2013.

Hockey Now Network

Colorado: Goalie prospect Ilya Nabokov signed a two-year entry level contract with the Colorado Avalanche 

New Jersey: James Nichols believes Dawson Mercer is the perfect candidate to play third-line center. New Jersey Devils. 

Philadelphia: Why the Tyson Foerster signing is good for the team and player. Philadelphia Flyers. 

Pittsburgh: What the Penguins coach hire will say about the team’s direction. Pittsburgh Penguins. 

Vegas: The Golden Knights and Maple Leafs did discuss a trade for Mitch Marner, but the Golden Knights didn’t like Toronto’s ask. Vegas Golden Knights.