Red Wings activate Kane off IR after 5-game absence

Patrick Kane is returning for the Detroit Red Wings after missing a handful of contests.

The Red Wings activated the veteran forward off injured reserve Thursday. He last played Nov. 23. The ailment was initially undisclosed, but the club later described it as an upper-body injury.

Kane has three goals and seven assists in 20 games this season. The 36-year-old re-signed with Detroit in June on a one-year contract worth $4 million and potentially another $2.5 million in bonuses.

The American winger produced 20 tallies and 27 helpers across 50 contests with the Red Wings in 2023-24. It was his first campaign with Detroit. The Chicago Blackhawks traded him to the New York Rangers in February 2023, but he opted not to re-up in the Big Apple.

Kane has amassed 474 goals and 820 assists over 1,250 NHL games across 18 seasons. He won the Stanley Cup three times with the Blackhawks and took home the Hart Trophy in 2016.