Patrick Kane mum on future with Red Wings: 'We'll see what happens'

Though Red Wings veteran Patrick Kane said he enjoyed his time in Detroit, he admitted "it's hard to say" what his future holds as a pending unrestricted free agent.

"I guess we'll see what happens," he told reporters Thursday. "I'm sure my agent and (Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman) will have those conversations and go from there."

Kane signed a one-year, $2.75-million deal with the Red Wings in November following his recovery from hip resurfacing surgery. He chipped in with 47 points (20 goals and 27 assists) in 50 games, good for the second most on the Red Wings since his season debut Dec. 7.

"Coming into this year, my decision was based on playing on a good team," Kane said. "A team where I thought I fit in well, obviously the comfort of playing with Alex (DeBrincat) again was something I was looking forward to. ... I was put in a great situation to succeed and play a lot of minutes."

He added: "I think it will be similar going forward: How do I fit in with the team, who would I play with, things like that. ... (I'm) maybe looking for a little bit more stability as far as term. I think the right situation matters, too."

With three Stanley Cup championships and 143 playoff games (the 12th most among all active players) under his belt, Kane was key to the Red Wings' postseason push. They fell just short of the mark after finishing the season with the same amount of points as the Washington Capitals but five fewer regulation wins.

Detroit's playoff drought has now extended to eight years. Kane doesn't think that dry spell will last for much longer, though.

"I think they're in a great spot," he said. "(Dylan) Larkin, his competitiveness, young players stepping up at the right times and playing so well in the important games - (Moritz) Seider, (Lucas) Raymond, DeBrincat, (Simon) Edvinsson. ... I think the future's really bright for the team."

As for his own future, Kane said he was able to play pain-free this campaign and that he's looking forward to having a normal offseason in terms of his training.

"I think I can play for a long time, to be honest with you," he said with a smirk. "I'm 35, hopefully play to 40. Who knows? You just keep playing."

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