Then again, suppose Kane is making his exit. That would be 16 goals and 57 points going out the door from a team that is already starving for offense.

If that’s the case, how do the Wings solve this dilemma?

Perhaps by adding another long-time points producer who’s also in his late 30s and a UFA.

We’re talking about Mats Zuccarello, and here’s why the 38-year-old right-winger might be an ideal fit in Detroit.

Zuccarello has accounted for 34 goals and 108 points with the Minnesota Wild over the past two seasons. That’s one reason to like him.

Here’s another – he could be an ideal mentor to fellow Norwegian Michael Brandsegg-Nygard.

Zuccarello, Red Wings MBN Clicked at Worlds

In Brandsegg-Nygard’s draft year, he and Zuccarello were linemates at the IIHF World Championship. And boy, did they ever click.

At the 2024 worlds, Brandsegg-Nygard scored three goals with two assists. Zuccarello dished out six assists.

“It was just a good experience to play with him,” Brandsegg-Nygard said. “He said to me just to keep my shots down. He’s gonna pass the puck to me so I can shoot. That was the only thing he said.”

When it comes to talking about Zuccarello, Brandsegg-Nygard has plenty to say.

“I can only speak for myself, but I know Mats Zuccarello was a big role model,” Brandsegg-Nygard said. “I look up to him. It was good to see a Norwegian reach it and play in the NHL.

“Hopefully, I can be a role model for young players in Norway and help hockey in Norway to be more popular and one day be a big hockey nation.”

Now, as we said, it isn’t a certainty that Kane is leaving Detroit. And there’s no evidence that Zuccarello would be interested in coming to Detroit. Likely, teams better than the Red Wings will also seek to sign him.

Even so, depending on how things unfold today, if you’re Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman, isn’t it worth giving Zucccarello a call to find out?