Vet Kane signs with Red Wings
Patrick Kane has picked his next team.
The 35-year-old three-time Stanley Cup winner signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract with the Red Wings after recovering from offseason hip-resurfacing surgery.
The cap-strapped Rangers, who acquired the longtime Blackhawk at last year’s trade deadline, were never in the mix for a Kane reunion, The Post’s Larry Brooks reported two weeks ago.
Kane, who compiled 12 points for the Rangers after being acquired at the trade deadline, won’t play Wednesday at the Garden, head coach Derek Lalonde told reporters. The deal, reportedly for one year at $2.75 million, also includes a no-trade clause.
“It was really cool getting to play with him last year,” Ryan Lindgren said. “He’s obviously a Hall of Famer, and on the ice, everyone can see what kind of player he is. As a guy, he was such a great guy.
“Real fun to get to know him and play with him for that little bit, but I’m sure Detroit’s excited. They’re getting a real good player.”
Kane had five goals and seven assists in 19 regular-season games for the Blueshirts before recording one goal and five assists during the seven-game, first-round loss to the Devils.
Operating at less than 100 percent, Kane didn’t have the type of impact the Rangers needed to go on a deep playoff run.
Kane, one of the greatest American-born players in NHL history, has 1,237 points in 1,180 career regular-season games and 138 points in 143 playoff matches.
The nine-time All-Star won the Hart and Art Ross trophies in 2016 after he posted 46 goals and 60 assists. He recorded a career-high 110 points (44 goals, 66 assists) during the 2018-19 season.
Kane won the Conn Smythe trophy in 2013 after he won his second Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks.
The Red Wings, who have missed the playoffs in each of the last seven seasons and haven’t won a playoff series since 2013, are currently in third place in the Atlantic Division with 25 points.
The Rangers, meanwhile, remain atop the NHL standings with 31 points in 20 games after Monday’s clunker against the Sabres in which Kaapo Kakko went down with a scary leg injury that could create a major void at right wing if he’s out long term.
Kane will not be filling that void.