Expectations for what Patrick Kane can do for the Detroit Red Wings are high, if temporarily tempered.

Cleared to join the lineup Thursday, a week and a day after he was introduced as the newest member of the team, Kane projects to strengthen the Wings' efforts to end a seven-year drought and advance to the playoffs. But first, give the 35-year-old a little leeway: He hasn't played since May 1, underwent invasive hip surgery June 1, and is joining the league at a time when everyone else has been up to speed for two months.

"We'll be smart in how we use him," coach Derek Lalonde said. "I don't know if he's ready for a regular shift. I think we'll probably monitor it. We'll have a target, minute-wise, on what we want to do with him, but we'll get a feel. He feels really good, body-wise, but he's joining us at a time where we have a slew of games. We haven't been able to practice as much as we would have liked.

"I just think there are a lot of unknowns still there, so we will be patient. We’ll all be patient with it and let it play out a little bit."

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The Wings do have an advantage in being able to play Kane on a line with Alex DeBrincat, a teammate for five seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks.

"There's a comfort level, an excitement, for both of them," Lalonde said.

Wings defenseman Olli Määttä is also a former teammate, having played with Kane in Chicago in 2019-20

"He’s an elite player in this league," Määttä said. "I think you can see the little while he’s been here, he’s hungry to get back out there. He’s excited to be playing hockey again. We are excited to see him out there. I think it’s exciting times."

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Kane signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract with the Wings Nov. 28, then flew to New York to take part in their morning skate Nov. 29. A hectic schedule has limited his adjustment period to one full practice and less than a handful of morning skates.

"He can still score," goaltender Ville Husso said. "He’s a good player. One of those like, superstars. Playing against him a couple times as a goalie, you always have to be aware of him. He’s been great in practice, he’s been working hard."

Kane took in games against the Rangers, Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres from the press boxes. After the game in Buffalo, Dylan Larkin was among those who raved about how much it has meant to see Kane's enthusiasm for getting back into the game after undergoing hip resurfacing surgery six months ago.

"I think the jolt has been the professional individual he’s been around our group," Lalonde said. "He passes the physical and we’re in New York as a team, and he gets into New York at midnight that night just to be with the team. Little things like that, I think it’s been a boost for him just being around our guys, but not only being around the guys, the way he’s been around the guys. He’s been a really good teammate from the sidelines and we’re excited to get him in."

Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames. Read more on the Detroit Red Wings and sign up for our Red Wings newsletter. Her latest book, “On the Clock: Behind the Scenes with the Detroit Red Wings at the NHL Draft,” is available from  Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Triumph Books. Personalized copies available via her e-mail.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Patrick Kane to make Detroit Red Wings debut Thursday against Sharks