Originally posted on Detroit Hockey Now | By Bob Duff | Last updated 7/14/24
Everyone has an opinion on what needs to change or improve for the Detroit Red Wings to be a playoff team following the 2024-25 NHL regular season. Even those who play for the Red Wings, as it turns out.
For instance, Patrick Kane has a five-point plan to put the Red Wings into the postseason.
“I think we all want to build on last year,” Kane said. “And I think there’s definitely expectations going into this season, so that’s always a good thing.
“So, I’m excited about being a part of that and hopefully getting the chance to have a good regular season and playoff hockey again.”
Here’s what Kane thinks the Red Wings need to do in order to end their eight-year NHL postseason drought.
Red Wings Can Ramp Up Power Play
“We can be better on the power play,” Kane said. “I think we can be a top-five unit. I think that would be a good goal. We were maybe around 10 (actually ninth) last year, which is still pretty good, but I still think we can be even better.
“I think I can be better on the power play as well. You look back at numbers, I think I had two goals on the power play, so I had 18 even-strength goals out of 20 goals, which is, you feel like, pretty good, but it should be bolstered up a little bit because you should have more success on the power play. Looking forward to building off that.”
Detroit Must Stop Leaking Goals
The Red Wings were 24th overall in the NHL in goals against last season. They allowed 273 goals, or 3.329 goals per game. That was significantly higher than the league average of 3.085 goals-against per game.
Kane knows that’s simply not good enough if playoff hockey is the objective.
“Obviously, we feel we can be a better group defensively,” Kane said. “That’s always a key component to winning and getting into playoffs, and that’s on everyone, right? Not just the guys that are in that role, but everyone needs to play better defensively.
“So I’m sure we’ll go through that as a team and how we want to play in those situations.”
Red Wings Can Count On Depth
Depth scoring was a big part of the club’s success last season. Even with the departures of the likes of forwards Robby Fabbri (18 goals) David Perron (17), Daniel Sprong (18), and defensemen Jake Walman (12) and Shayne Gostisbehere (10), there’s still plenty of firepower top to bottom.
Captain Dylan Larkin (33), Lucas Raymond (31), Alex DeBrincat (27), Vladimir Tarasenko (23), Kane (20), J.T. Compher (19), Michael Rasmussen (13), Andrew Copp (13) and Joe Veleno (12) all hit for double digits in the goals column last season.
“Even last year when I came, I was surprised at the contributions that the team would get from the third and fourth line and key goals here or there,” Kane said.
“It wasn’t like there was so much pressure on one or two guys, but there’s a lot of depth on the team, so we’re able to fill the net pretty good.”
Improving Chemistry With DeBrincat
Kane and DeBrincat were a dynamic duo in Chicago. There was evidence that they were again finding that level of fluidity in Year 1 of the Detroit experiment.
“I mean, yeah, I think so, for sure,” Kane said.
DeBrincat figured in six of Kane’s 20 goals, a 30% rate. Kane was also good for six assists among the 14 goals DeBrincat would score following Kane’s Dec. 7 debut for the Red Wings. That’s a 42.8% success rate. And Kane thinks they’ve got much more that they’re capable of delivering.
“We’ll spend some time together this summer and work out and skate together and talk about things and just always be trying to improve that chemistry,” Kane said. “He’s a kid that I really like being around off the ice, but I still think we have a lot of chemistry on the ice as well, and I still think we can be even better.
“So, yeah, always trying to get to another level.”
Kane Expecting Better Version Of Himself
When counting the ways that the Red Wings can improve, Kane is also counting himself into that equation. Over 50 games last season, he was good for 20 goals. What can be bring to the table during his first full season with the Red Wings?
“For me right now, I think the main focus is to just getting as ready as I possibly can for the season to take that next step to my game and get to the next level,” Kane said. “It was a good fit on and off the ice and had a lot of opportunity to play in some good situations, whether it’s power play or top-six minutes.
The former Hart and Conn Smythe Trophy winner and three-time Stanley Cup champion thinks he can also be an asset to the team in areas beyond the ice.
“Maybe I’m leaned on a little bit more by the coaching staff in certain areas, or even in the locker room or a leadership role, things like that,” Kane said. “Obviously I’m 35, going to be turning 36 this year. So, I’ve been around for quite a bit and feel like I can bring that leadership aspect to the group and just kind of help the group along, whether it’s in good times or bad times.”
This article first appeared on Detroit Hockey Now and was syndicated with permission.
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