What Would a Potential Patrick Kane Extension Look Like?

From The Silky Mitten State: What will it cost to keep Patrick Kane in Detroit? Does that make sense for both parties?

It's hard to overstate how well Patrick Kane's one-year contract with the Red Wings has worked out for both parties.

Last night, Kane scored a third period goal to extend his present point streak to 10.  In 29 games with Detroit, he now has 13 goals and 18 assists for 31 points.  In retrospect, it might seem obvious that Kane (who is a 1.05 point-per-game player over the course of his 1209 game NHL career) would produce upon signing with the Red Wings, but, in fact, there is almost no precedent for a player producing at this level after the major hip resurfacing surgery he underwent over the offseason. 

Kane signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract to join Detroit this season (prorated to reflect the fact that he didn't join the team until December).  Given his success and fit along with players like Dylan Larkin and Alex DeBrincat, it seems obvious that an extension could be a mutually beneficial decision for both parties.

Of course, that means the two sides must come to an agreement on Kane's current value, which might not be easy.  Kane's previous contract (signed in July 2014 with the Blackhawks) paid him $10.5 million a year over an eight-year term.  Presumably, at age 35, he won't touch that number this time around,  but, as a point-a-game player with the Red Wings, he could easily command a hefty salary somewhere, should he choose to pursue that.  From Detroit's perspective, as good as Kane has been, there has to be some measure of caution around signing a 35-year-old to a major extension to be a central figure of a team looking to open up a prolonged window of contention.

So, where does that leave us?  Connor Earegood and I discussed just that on the most recent episode of The Silky Mitten State.  We touched on Kane's performance so far in Detroit, his degree of agency with an expiring contract, the risks and benefits of an extension for the Red Wings, and what the term and dollar figure might look like.  Here's an excerpt of that discussion:

For full episodes of The Silky Mitten State, go to Spotify or Apple Podcasts:

Detroit Doomed by Poor Start in 5-3 Loss to Islanders, Win Streak Ends at Six

As Outside Attention Mounts, Red Wings Keep Focus on the Work Still to Do

Red Wings Announce First Ever Sponsorship Patch on Game Jersey

Must Watch: Edvinsson Scores Brilliant Solo Goal for OT Winner

Injury Update: Seider No Worse for the Shot-Blocking Wear, Lalonde Hopeful to Have Husso by End of Regular Season