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In a year full of negatives, Blackhawks fans finally have something to smile about Thursday.
Patrick Kane is back.
The team announced Wednesday that Kane agreed to a two-year deal with an average annual value of $8 million.
Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Blackhawks juggles the puck during warm-ups prior to an NHL game against the Calgary Flames on Jan. 28, 2014 in Calgary. Getty ImagesThe 37-year-old is a Blackhawks legend, winning three Stanley Cups with the team after being selected with the first pick in 2007.
Kane spent 16 seasons with the Blackhawks and was the heart and soul of a team that made the postseason nine straight times.
He’s second all-time in points (1,225) for the team behind Sam Mikita, has the third most goals (446) in franchise history and has played in the third-most games (1,161).
The winger also racked up several awards during his first Blackhawks stint, including the Hart Memorial Trophy in 2016, Conn Smythe Trophy in 2013 and Calder Memorial Trophy in 2008.
After the Blackhawks entered a rebuild in 2023, Kane was traded to the Rangers, where he scored five goals in 19 games.
He then spent the last three seasons with the Red Wings, tallying 57 goals and 106 assists.
Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said he didn’t foresee the team bringing back Kane in 2024, but changed his opinion on the situation before signing him this week.
“We’ll await his decision, but he knows our door is always open,” Davidson said on the radio show OverDrive on TSN 1050 Toronto. “He’s a Blackhawk at heart for life, even if he’s not wearing our jersey. We’ve got a great deal of reverence, respect, and love for Patrick Kane, so we’ll leave him to that decision, and we’ll see where he ends up when that day comes.”
Kane’s decision was in fact the Blackhawks, and he joins a rebuilding team coming off a 29-39-14 season.
He will also play with rising star Connor Bedard for the first time after Bedard was drafted by the Blackhawks in 2023.
Chicago Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane celebrates after scoring his goal against the Minnesota Wild during the third period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey second-round playoff series in Chicago on Friday, May 2, 2014. AP“I can’t imagine his first game back at the [United Center], just the reaction he’d get and how much juice that would bring not only to our team but our fans as well,” Bedard told reporters of Kane. “That would be incredible to get to play with him and learn from him.”
The Blackhawks may be in for another rebuilding year, but fans will at least get to see Kane possibly end his career with the team it all started with.
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