Patrick Kane was in Cabo, enjoying the sun, the sand and some time with his family. In a perfect world, he would have been on the ice in Montreal. Kane laughed and said he was rushing to put his four-year-old son to bed at 5 p.m. with the two-hour time difference, "then going to the TV and watching the 4 Nations."
"It's sunny out and I’m sitting in my hotel room watching hockey," Kane said with a grin. "But it’s good. I think first and foremost it’s been great for the game, the growth of the game, the attention it’s gotten, and just the type of hockey as well, right? It’s been so fun to watch, and obviously a huge game Thursday night."
As for that game last Saturday? The one where Matthew Tkachuk, Brady Tkachuk and J.T. Miller dropped the gloves for the United States in the first nine seconds against Canada? The one where Kane's teammate Dylan Larkin scored the game-winning goal for the Americans, in the Bell Centre, no less? Even Kane said he was laughing to himself at the fireworks after puck-drop.
"But obviously, Keith Tkachuk was a great player and had a great career. To raise two kids that are fighting for Team USA three seconds into the game, that’s gotta be an incredible feeling for him," said Kane.
Last time USA and Canada met in a best-on-best tournament, in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, Kane was on the ice for the Stars and Stripes. And the time before that, in the 2014 Sochi Olympics. And the time before that, in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, when Sidney Crosby broke the Americans' hearts with a golden goal in one of the greatest games in the history of hockey's best rivalry. When USA and Canada clash again for the 4 Nations title Thursday night in Boston, Kane will be in the strange position of cheering from his couch.
"It’s tough," he admitted. "You definitely want to be there and you feel like you’re missing out on some great hockey and a great opportunity, too. It is what it is. Personally, you start looking back, I mean, we missed nine years of it, right? The first four, five, six years of those nine years were some of my best hockey I’ve played in my life. So obviously you think about those opportunities that were missed, whether it was the ’18 Olympics or ’22 Olympics or not having the World Cup at all.
"But it is what it is. I had my opportunities. I was there in 2010 and lost in overtime in the Gold Medal game, 2014 we had a really good team, too, we were right there, and got to play in the 2016 World Cup, too. Obviously you want as many opportunities as possible, but you see the type of hockey this is and the excitement it brings, seems to me like it’s the best way to grow the game. It’s unfortunate it’s been nine years."
After the 2016 World Cup — where the U.S. flamed out with an 0-3 record in group play — the NHL wouldn't send its players to another international tournament until this one. The 4 Nations has been a smashing success, with TV ratings that match the high level of play. The USA-Canada classic was the most-watched non-Stanley Cup Final hockey telecast in six years, and the championship game might outdo it. It will certainly be on in Kane's house.
"As much as you’re a player and you love playing the game, I’m still a fan of the game," he said. "I’ll definitely be on my couch that night tuning in and paying attention."
Kane is one of the greatest American hockey players ever. He is Showtime. He will likely retire as the NHL's all-time leading scorer from the U.S., currently third with 1,315 points and closing in on Mike Modano (1,374) and Brett Hull (1,391). But as the curtain begins to fall, his game isn't quite what it used to be.
Kane was considered for the United States' 4 Nations roster — easily the most talented team the country has ever assembled — but started slowly in his 18th NHL season and was an understandable omission. Fewer than half his goals and points this year have come at even strength. NHL players will return to the Olympics next year in Italy. For Kane, making that team remains a goal.
"Of course, of course," he said. "That would be an amazing opportunity. I think this year I didn’t play well enough to be picked for the team. It’s not like I’m blaming anyone or anything besides myself. But yeah, you want to put your best foot forward whether it’s the rest of this year or the start of next year and give yourself a chance."
It will be a tall task for Kane to crack the roster, though he has returned to form with the Red Wings since Todd McLellan took over as head coach. He went into the 4 Nations break with 17 points over his prior 15 games, while the Wings had ripped of a pair of seven-game winning streaks to surge back into the playoff race. Had Kane been playing at this level when the United States announced its roster in early December, perhaps he'd be suiting up Thursday night.
Still, the games have been too invigorating, and the Americans have played too well, for Kane to feel anything other than pride — and sure, maybe a little competitive envy. He texted Larkin after his game-winner last Saturday, and couldn't celebrate the Red Wings' captain quickly enough when asked about him Tuesday. Larkin is rising to a long-overdue moment in the spotlight after being shut out of the NHL playoffs for the past eight years.
"So happy for him," said Kane. "It seemed like he started down in the lineup and not playing as much the first game (against Finland), and then you know when he gets the chance, he’s going to play well and do all he can with his opportunities. I thought he played great that (Canada) game ... and to see him score on the two-on-one, the excitement and just how big of a goal that was, it was cool to see."
For Kane, so is this: "The talent level coming from the United States has been incredible, guys are getting better and better."
Like Larkin, Kane is a product of the U.S. National Team Development Program in nearby Plymouth. The Americans' 4 Nations roster features 15 such alumni, including captain Auston Matthews and alternate captains Matthew Tkachuk and Charlie McAvoy. Each year, a new wave of talent rises in Plymouth and spills into the NHL, and "some of these players that are coming up these days are impact players right away," said Kane, "or some of the best players in the league."
"We didn’t really have that, say, five, 10 years ago. ... We had some good players back in 2010, '14, '16, but I think the depth is just deeper than it’s ever been as far as the skill and talent and being able to play at a high level," said Kane. "It’s fun to see where the American game has gone, and obviously the Canadians are always going to be right there, too. You can argue they have two, three of the best players in the tournament with McDavid, MacKinnon and Crosby, so they’re always going to be there.
"But it’s fun seeing the American side kind of — I don’t want to say reach their level yet, because it’s a long way to go — but definitely be competitive with them."
For Kane, big games this season remain on the horizon. The Red Wings will return to action Saturday, occupying the second wild card spot in the East and eyeing their first playoff berth in nine years. Kane craves the feeling of anticipation before a playoff game, the nervous energy in the dressing room, "the intensity, the atmosphere from the crowd," the euphoria of a win with the season on the line.
"The rest of the year in here we have something to shoot for," he said. "You’re shooting for the playoffs to have those type of feelings and play in those big games."
The three-time Cup winner has a few more thrills to chase, in the red, white and perhaps the blue.