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Detroit Red Wings Patrick Kane returned to the ice from an upper-body injury on November 7th; despite being healthy, he’s been in a slump; should we be concerned?
On November 7th, against the New York Rangers, Patrick Kane returned to the ice to compete after recovering from his upper-body injury.
He’s a prolific producer in the NHL and scored 59 points (21-38) last season with the Red Wings. But this season, he’s hit a brick wall in production, as in the last 8 games, he’s gone without a goal scored. Kane also recently addressed his current health status during a pre-game interview after returning from injury.
His disparate play has seen him score one goal in 12 games, and he’s on pace to score 10 goals this season.
For a Hall of Famer who is shy of 500 goals, this is troubling news, as he’s continued to miss easy goals and good looks, according to Todd McLellan.
«He’s had some real good looks,» McLellan said. «One timer looks. Some tough empty netters. Not easy empty netters, but competition around him.»
When you put Kane into the lineup, the assumption that he will be lighting the lamp is a foregone conclusion; it’s going to happen.
But for a reason unknown to us all, he’s regressed.
He missed a chance on the shootout, too. Is something up? Kane has the most shootout goals in NHL history with 53. Should the Red Wings be worried?
Should the Detroit Red Wings be concerned about forward Patrick Kane’s scoring slump?
Kane has had four centers at his disposal to help him get back into the swing of things: Andrew Copp, JT Compher, Marco Kasper, and Nate Danielson. So in all actuality, it can’t be just them alone as the issue here.
Is the recovery rate the issue for Kane? He is 37, and “showtime” will have to work doubly hard to work against Father Time, as that could be a legitimate issue holding him back.
If that truly is the case, the Red Wings need to consider their future, as well as his, to find out what works best, and if that means exploring a trade or letting him walk in free agency as a 37-year-old forward, let it be.
Previously on Red Wings Insider
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Red Wings forward furthers scoring slump: Is it a cause of concern?
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