"Patrick Kane's legacy fuels Team USA and individual props: with Kane reaching 500 goals and four points shy of the U.S. scoring record, bettors may favor his season points-over props and consider a stronger USA Olympic medal chance despite Kane missing the final roster."
Patrick Kane's lasting imprint on American hockey
Jack Hughes recalled a USA Hockey summer orientation where "there's 44 guys there" and "probably like 35 of them, their favourite player growing up was Patrick Kane." Kane attended those meetings but did not make the final U.S. roster for the Milan-Cortina Olympics. Even so, his influence remains front and center as the NHL returns to the Games after a 12-year absence.
Career milestones that keep Kane in the conversation
Kane recently reached 500 career goals, becoming the fifth American to hit that mark, and sits just four points shy of passing Mike Modano's U.S.-born scoring record of 1,374. Now a winger with the Detroit Red Wings after a stint with the New York Rangers, Kane is still celebrated for his role in Chicago’s Stanley Cup dynasty (2010, 2013, 2015) and for helping the U.S. win Olympic silver in 2010.
Peers on Kane's game and legacy
Vegas centre Jack Eichel called Kane "one of the first players that comes to mind" when thinking of USA Hockey. Hughes praised Kane's "quick hands, flash and flair for the dramatic," dubbing him "Showtime" who "definitely changed the game." Minnesota's Matt Boldy noted Kane's relentless playmaking: "You don't see it in a lot of guys. He was just always a guy that had the puck." Alex DeBrincat, now a Red Wings linemate, said, "The stuff he does is still incredible. I've learned so much." Charlie McAvoy called Kane "an absolute legend," while Tage Thompson credited him with changing how smaller forwards are deployed offensively.
What Kane's absence from the Olympic roster means
Kane's exclusion from the final U.S. roster removes a headline name but not his cultural or stylistic impact on younger Americans who populate the team. The squad will carry his influence onto the ice in Italy, with several players citing Kane as a formative idol and template for playmaking from the wing.
Betting implications for punters
Kane's ongoing production and proximity to the U.S. scoring record create clear prop opportunities: season points-over/under and milestone specials (e.g., breaking Modano's mark) will attract attention.
For Olympics betting, the narrative that many U.S. players were inspired by Kane could nudge futures markets toward a stronger USA medal expectation, though bettors should weigh roster selections, injuries and the absence of Kane himself when assessing odds.
Sportsnet