The Detroit Red Wings continue to await the return of one of their top veteran players.

Patrick Kane hasn’t taken to the ice in a while, and the Red Wings are in action again Tuesday night without him.

Kane hasn’t played since October 17. Tuesday night’s missed game is his ninth.

Why isn’t Patrick Kane playing tonight?

Kane remains out with an injury.

There is some good news, though.

Head coach Todd McLellan said Tuesday, “There’s a real good chance he can skate with us on Thursday.”

McLellan added this: “We’re not there. But we’re getting feedback from some really important people, including Patrick, and we’re hoping he can practice with us and we’ll see where it goes.”

Kane is coming off a season in which he scored 59 points (21 goals, 38 assists) for the Red Wings.

In his NHL career, Kane has played 1,307 games and put up 1,348 points (494 goals, 854 assists.

Kane was of course with the Chicago Blackhawks for a long time, then suited up for the New York Rangers and now the Red Wings.

For Detroit to maximize its potential on the ice, though, they’ll definitely need to get Kane back on the ice sooner rather than later.

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