Sportsnet: Elliotte Friedman when asked about Pittsburgh Penguins Sidney Crosby and his eligibility to sign a contract extension this offseason, and Detroit Red Wings pending free agent Patrick Kane.
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Gord Stellick: “I know a lot of people when they say, 'Okay in the east it's a playoff battle, I want Detroit because of Patrick Kane. I want Pittsburgh because of Sidney Crosby.'
Patrick Kane says he will think about things. Now, Sidney Crosby says he's going to talk to Kyle Dubis about a contract, whether that means or not. But where do you think their heads are headed?
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Friedman: “I think he's staying. I agree. As there are already many rumors that they are already doing something about this. You know, said Dubas, I was watching one of his press conferences, and he said, 'Look, it's Sidney Crosby, so I'm going to keep this a secret.'
I think he lives. You know, my prediction for Gordie ends up being like two or three years at $10.5 (million). That's my guess. And until, and until I make a mistake, I'm going with that. So we will see why it happened there.
You know, I think so, now, the interesting thing was, it sounds like (Kris) Letang is dealing with a long-term injury here, right? They said that so we'll see what that means.
But, you know, I don't think Pittsburgh will wave the white flag, Gordie. I don't think a rebuild's in the cards. It's like, I, I wouldn't be surprised if they take, like, as they go into the postseason and say, 'we're still competitive,' and they're not. as if they are not destroying it. I got that idea from what Dubas said.”
Stellick: “And Patrick Kane?”
Friedman: “Oh, you know, Kane is interesting to Gordie because, you know, he was here and a few of us were talking to him after his swing this morning and he seemed positive. I think he was in a good place mentally in terms of how his season went.
But, you know, it was a different tone, which surprised me a little bit. What you mean to me and I understand this from his point of view, that look, Chicago his whole career, and half a year, or a quarter of the last year with the Rangers. And now this year with Detroit.
A young man who wants the revolving door to stop is beating me. He wants to go to one place and stay in one place for a little while.
And you know, Steve Yzerman, you were very careful at the time. You've been given, you've given Larkin eight years, he's got to do that, that's your captain. But with older players, he is careful. He has been doing it for four and five years now.
He won't give Kane four or five years. I don't think Kane expected that. But what it means to me is that Yzerman probably doesn't want to give up as much time as Kane would like. So we'll see how that plays out and Yzerman should talk.
But I think, but I think Kane feels really good about the way he's gone this year and how good he feels. He clearly loves hockey. But I think what he wants is a revolving door to stop and we'll see what that means.”
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Patrick Kane: “Thank you Red Wings, my teammates, coaches and all the fans of Hockey Town for welcoming me and my family with open arms this season. This past year has given us memories we will never forget. The work does not stop. “
