Patrick Kane will return to the Detroit Red Wings next season after signing a deal that will earn him up to $6.5 million if he helps the team end its long playoff drought.
Updated yesterday at 10:58 p.m.
John Wawrow et Stephen Whyno
Associated Press
Kane signed a one-year contract Sunday that a person familiar with the situation said will pay the veteran forward $4 million, with bonus clauses that could reach $2.5 million.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because terms of the deal had not been announced.
Kane, a 35-year-old winger from Buffalo who won the Stanley Cup three times with the Chicago Blackhawks from 2010 to 2015, continued to play after hip resurfacing surgery from which only two other players returned.
In his first season with the Red Wings, he came close to amassing a point per game, completing the campaign with 20 goals and 27 assists in 50 games.
Among American-born players, only Mike Modano has more NHL points than Kane (1,284). He will begin his 17e professional season.
Kane will try to help the Red Wings end an eight-year playoff drought, the longest such streak in the organization’s history, which dates back to 1926.
Earlier Sunday, the team made qualifying offers to Lucas Raymond, Moritz Seider, Jonatan Berggren and Joseph Veleno to retain their rights.
