Red Wings Sprong Cedes No. 88 to Kane

When the Red Wings were officially announcing the signing of Kane to a one-year, $2.75-million contract late Monday, they were also including a photo in the post of Kane in a Red Wings No. 88 jersey.

“I have no problem with switching,” Sprong said. “That’s his number. He’s been in the league for a long time. He’s a legend in the game and a superstar. No problem, he can have it.”

Kane has worn No. 88 his entire NHL career – all 16 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks and for the remainder of last season after the Blackhawks were trading him to the New York Rangers.

Will Kane Pay Sprong For Number?

Often in pro sports, when a new player desires a number that’s already being worn by a current player on the team, there will be some sort of financial remuneraation changing hands as part of the jersey swap. In this instance, Sprong doesn’t know if that will be the case.

“I don’t know,” Sprong said. “I’ll let him decide. That’s his number. I have no problem giving it him. We’ll see what he does.”

As for his own plans, Sprong does have a new number that he’s picking out to don. He just isn’t saying what number that will be.

“Yeah, I have an idea, so we’ll see what happens,” Sprong said.

He wore No. 10 in Washington, but that’s retired in Detroit for longtime captain Alex Delvecchio. And it’s unlikely that he will be choosing No. 91, which he wore with the Seattle Kraken. Sergei Fedorov made those digits famous in Detroit.

Mostly, though, like all of the other Red Wings, Sprong is simply happy to be able to call future Hall of Famer Kane a teammate.

“It’s pretty cool,” Sprong said. “I remember watching him. He’s an unbelievable player, an unbelievable career. We’re excited to have him.”