Kane thrived after Detroit replaced coach Derek Lalonde with Todd McLellan on Dec. 26, producing 45 points (16 goals, 29 assists) in his last 43 games. The Red Wings played a more aggressive style, and the power play heated up, playing to his strengths.

In the offseason, he was able to train more athletically instead of rehabbing the hip he had surgically repaired June 1, 2023. He should be in a good situation under McLellan from the beginning this season.

“There’s really no excuse for me not to have a good start,” he said.

Kane is eight goals from 500 in the NHL and 32 points from passing Mike Modano for the most in the NHL among players born in the United States. He commands respect at this orientation camp, especially from young players who grew up idolizing him.

“We all wanted to be Patrick Kane,” said center Dylan Larkin, now a Detroit teammate.

Utah Mammoth forward Clayton Keller called Kane “the GOAT.” Winnipeg Jets forward Kyle Connor and Florida Panthers defenseman Seth Jones each used the word “aura.”

Kane enjoys being a mentor and loves talking hockey.

“I’m kind of at the point in my career where it’s fun to come to these events and talk to younger guys and learn from younger players,” Kane said. “This morning, we’re on the ice with 30 of the best players in the world. It’s cool to be out there with them and kind of see what guys are doing and how they’re training, talk to them about certain things.”

The thing is, Kane is still one of the best players in the world.

“They call him Showtime for a reason,” Connor said. “He shows up for the biggest games and seems to elevate. That’s what you want from a go-to player. He seems to step up in those moments. He still does it, even after injuries and Father Time, being a little bit older.”

Jones said Kane is still one of the top one or two players teams identify before playing Detroit.

“To me, he’s the same guy I grew up watching, to be honest,” Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews said. “I mean, you watch him play, the way that he controls the game, just the way he can see the ice. He makes plays. Not too many people can play the game like him and be successful. I think it just speaks volumes to his dedication that at his age right now he’s still a point-a-game guy. He’s still a leader and still gets it done. To me, he’s still one of my favorite players to watch.”

Kane brings a perspective no other current player can. He pointed out he had been to orientation camps in 2010 and 2014. The message was the same then as it is now: It’s time. The United States hasn’t won Olympic gold since 1980 in Lake Placid or a best-on-best tournament since the 1996 World Cup.

He wants to play a meaningful role in putting his country back on top.

“Yeah, that’s all it is, is gold, and trying to get over the hump of Canada,” Kane said. “They’ve won the last two Olympics in best-on-best and the last two World Cups in best-on-best. Yeah, that’s what it’s all about, to win the gold.”

NHL.com Editor-in-Chief Bill Price and senior director of editorial Shawn P. Roarke contributed to this report