Red Wings Yzerman Still Confident He’ll be Able to Sign Kane

The clock is ticking toward the July 1 NHL unrestricted free agency period and the Detroit Red Wings and Patrick Kane have yet to agree to terms on a new contract.

If Detroit GM Steve Yzerman is concerned, outwardly he’s doing his best Alfred E. Neuman what me worry impression.

“Well, I still expect us to get a deal done with Patrick,” Yzerman said. “It’s a busy time for everyone.

Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman:

"I still expect us to get a deal done with Patrick (Kane)." pic.twitter.com/4xY6Bu3gyQ

— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) June 29, 2025

“I’ve had some discussions with both Patrick and Pat Brisson, his agent. And once you get around the draft, the agents have a lot of other things they’re doing as well. So I’m hopeful that we can get something done soon. And that’s my intention, so we’ll see if we can’t get that done shortly.”

Kane Shares Desire To Remain With Red Wings

What is making it all a bit surprising that the two aren’t in agreement on a new contract is that both sides seem entirely amenable to making it happen. The last time he was speaking publicly on the matter, Kane was sugggesting he also was leaning toward remaining with the Red Wings for a third season.

“I mean, I think definitely take some time to think, but overall I’ve really enjoyed my time here and I think it’s been a great place for me to continue my career and play,” Kane said at the time. “And there’s a lot of great things about the organization that have helped me, not only with my injury, but to find a good role within the team and play.

“So I think there’s definitely some mutual interest in coming back and continuing on here. So, we’ll see what happens.”

Following a slow start to last season, Kane would really blossom and look like his old self after Detroit made a coaching change from Derek Lalonde to Todd McLellan.

Kane would account for 16 of his 21 goals and 45 of his 59 points following the switch behind the Red Wings bench.

Red Wings' Coach Todd McLellan couldn't believe Patrick Kane was blocking shots at the #StadiumSeries 😂

Cc: @DetroitRedWings pic.twitter.com/TfOwHhNfRy

— NHL (@NHL) March 3, 2025

“Yeah, I mean, I think didn’t have the best start to the season, felt a little bit unlucky at the start of the year, but still just didn’t feel good about my game and where I was at,” Kane said. “I think after the coaching change, maybe just the style, we started playing, playing a little bit more aggressive, a little bit more connected, all five guys up the ice.

“I think that really helped me.”