East Notes: Kane, Pacioretty, Highmore

15/04/2024 03:00

It was only a few months ago that we were talking about Patrick Kane's free agency before he signed a one-year, $2.5MM contract with Detroit in late November.  Now less than three months out from testing the open market again, the veteran told reporters including MLive's Ansar Khan that he's not concerned about his next deal just yet:

Obviously, it's in the back of your mind. Right now, it's more about being in the moment, being here with this team and trying to get in the playoffs. I think just with the situation I was in and coming in and being here for maybe three-quarters of the season, it's just this year and then we'll see what happens. Hopefully all that stuff figures itself out.

The contract has worked out well for both sides.  Kane is averaging nearly a point per game, notching 20 goals and 26 assists in 48 appearances.  That's a strong return on Detroit's investment while Kane has demonstrated that he has fully recovered from his hip resurfacing surgery which should put him in a better position for a pricier multi-year deal in July.  Whether that deal comes with the Red Wings or not will have to wait a little while longer.

Elsewhere in the Eastern Conference:

• When Capitals winger Max Pacioretty didn't move at the trade deadline, it came as somewhat of a surprise. Speaking with Sammi Silber of The Hockey News, the 35-year-old outlined his reasons for not waiving his NTC.  On top of staying close to his family, the veteran has enjoyed playing a notable role after missing so much time the last couple of years; it's quite likely his role would have been more limited had he accepted a move.  Pacioretty has just four goals in 45 games this season but has added 19 assists while averaging over 14 minutes a night.  He’s certainly playing in meaningful games too with Washington in the thick of the race for the final playoff spots in the East.
• After Saturday's victory over Montreal, the Senators announced (Twitter link) that forward Matthew Highmore was assigned to AHL Belleville. The 28-year-old missed a little more than a month with an upper-body injury but returned to practice yesterday and has been given the green light to return.  Highmore has played in seven games with Ottawa this season, picking up two assists while adding 29 points in 40 appearances with Belleville, a team that is right in the thick of the playoff race in the AHL's North Division.