Patrick Kane addresses health concerns before returning to Detroit Red Wings after nine-game absence

After a long hiatus due to injury, Patrick Kane is planning to return to the Detroit Red Wings on Friday to play against the New York Rangers at Little Caesars Arena . The player would be returning to the team after a prolonged absence. He has been out of the Detroit Red Wings lineup since October 17th, and with the latest media scrum today, it has been confirmed that the forward is returning to the team.

As per reports, Kane , who has missed nine games with an upper-body injury after starting the season with five points (two goals, three assists) in five games, returned to practice Thursday. Detroit (9-5-0) is trying to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in 10 seasons, and Kane is trying to make the United States roster for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.

The 37-year-old forward, who marks his birthday later this month, started the season strongly by earning five points (two goals, three assists) in his first five games. His return bolsters a Red Wings squad that sits at 9–5–0, just two points behind first place in the Atlantic Division, though the tightness of the standings has the East-conference playoff picture wide open.


Patrick Kane returns to Detroit Red Wings, expresses his interest in joining the Winter Olympics
Veteran forward Patrick Kane has recently confirmed that he will return to the lineup for the Detroit Red Wings on Friday as the club continues its four-game homestand and the pursuit of a playoff berth, while Kane reignites his personal chase for a spot on the United States’ roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Earlier, the Red Wings hoped Kane would join them sometime during a five-game road trip that stretched from Oct. 28 through Tuesday. But he had to stay behind, skating and working out in the gym.

It is to be noted that Kane has missed nine games with an upper-body injury after starting the season with five points (two goals, three assists) in five games. He returned to practice on Thursday.


Meanwhile, the player has addressed his health concerns, "I'm feeling pretty good. It was nice to get back into practice with the team today. Other than that, I feel pretty good, and we'll go from there. He further added, "We'll see how it is (Friday). I don't think there's any real decision on when I'm back or anything like that."

Upon his return, the player also stated, “Sometimes you need some time,” Kane said. “Maybe originally, especially right after it happened, we didn’t think it was as bad as maybe the next day. After that, it was just kind of seeing where the symptoms were and where I was at. The team’s played 14 games, and I’ve only played in five. It’s never fun to miss that much. But happy that I’ve taken the time and seeing the progress now.”

As per the recent reports, Detroit has gone 5-4-0 without Kane. The good news for the Red Wings is that they are two points behind the Montreal Canadiens for first place in the Atlantic Division.

Also read: How Cutter Gauthier is lighting up the Anaheim Ducks with his promising gameplay | NHL News - The Times of India