The Detroit Red Wings are hoping to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2026. If they are to make the postseason, veteran forward Patrick Kane is going to play a major role. Kane re-signed in Detroit on a one-year contract to suit up for his third season in the Motor City.
This past season was a tale of two halves for the future Hall of Famer. Kane struggled mightily out of the gate, and seemed a shell of his former self at times. Following a coaching change, though, he found his stride again. In the end, he finished with 21 goals and 59 points in 71 games.
Kane’s early-season struggles prevented him from representing Team USA at the 4 Nations Faceoff. The Americans made it to the final of that tournament. However, Connor McDavid scored a Golden Goal for Team Canada to defeat the Stars and Stripes in overtime.
This season, the NHL will pause for two weeks to send players to the 2026 Winter Olympics. Kane is certainly not getting any younger. However, he is certainly interested in chasing Olympic Gold for potentially the final time.
“The one thing that’s kind of missing is a gold in best-on-best, right?” Kane said at the United States Men’s Olympic Orientation Camp on Tuesday, via NHL.com. “It would be fun to have that opportunity.”
Patrick Kane Reacts To Missing 4 Nations Faceoff
Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesDetroit Red Wings star Patrick Kane still feels he can contribute to Team USA
Kane is a very talented player, and is respected around the NHL. However, it became apparent that he would not skate for the Americans at the 4 Nations. He was informed of the decision twice in person — both after Red Wings games.
“I didn’t really expect to make it just the way I was playing, with how many good American players there are. Definitely don’t want that to happen again where I’m in a situation where I’m not playing that great and you get left off because of that, right?” Kane said of his reaction, via NHL.com.
The future Hall of Famer does have a chance to represent the Americans this time around, though. A strong start to the 2025-26 campaign could see him head to Milan this winter for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Red Wings’ Kane Making No Excuses In 2025-26
The coaching change sparked Kane and the Red Wings as a whole. Todd McLellan helped Detroit contend in 2024-25, but now he has a full offseason with this team. Kane believes he can get off to a good start, and he believes there’s no reason he can’t do it.
“There’s really no excuse for me not to have a good start,” he said, via NHL.com.
Playing well for the Red Wings will certainly make a good impression on the American brass. Helping Detroit make the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2016 could see him compete for both the Cup and Olympic Gold this year. Winning Gold for the first time would mean a lot to the future Hall of Famer.
“Yeah, that’s all it is, is gold, and trying to get over the hump of Canada,” Kane said. “They’ve won the last two Olympics in best-on-best and the last two World Cups in best-on-best. Yeah, that’s what it’s all about, to win the gold.”
Red Wings’ Patrick Kane Makes Feelings Known On 2026 Olympics