Patrick Kane signs two-year deal to return to Chicago Blackhawks
Patrick Kane is returning to Chicago.
Kane, 37, signed a two-year, $16 million contract to return to the Blackhawks on Thursday, according to the team. He played for the Blackhawks for 16 seasons and won the Stanley Cup with the team three times, in 2010, 2013, and 2015.
"Day in and day out for 16 seasons, Patrick captivated the city of Chicago with his dazzling skill, creating some of the most memorable moments in Blackhawks history as he helped bring our storied franchise back to the pinnacle of our sport," Blackhawks General Manager Kyle Davidson said in a news release. "He's shown on countless occasions that he knows what it takes to win at the highest levels, and we couldn't be prouder for Patrick to once again call the United Center home and continue to shine in Chicago's brightest lights."
Last season, Kane had 57 points, including 16 goals and 41 assists, in 67 games with the Detroit Red Wings. He signed with the Red Wings in November 2023 after a partial season with the New York Rangers, who took him from the Blackhawks in a trade.
Kane is also one of two active NHL players to record 40 or more points in each of the last 19 seasons, and one of only 19 players ever to do so in NHL history.
He has made 11 trips to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and has been named to the NHL All-Star Game nine times in his career — all when he was with the Blackhawks.
The Blackhawks selected Kane with the first overall pick in the 2007 NHL Draft.
The addition of Kane adds another offensive presence to a lineup that will begin the season without Connor Bedard, who had surgery on his left shoulder on July 8. Kane likely will play with Bedard when the 21-year-old center returns to the ice.
The rebuilding Blackhawks went 29-39-14 last season, an 11-point improvement on the previous season. The team has finished No. 31 in the NHL each of the past three years.
Chicago is looking for its first postseason appearance since the NHL used an expanded playoff format after the 2020 season was affected by the pandemic.
Kane was one of Chicago's biggest stars during the best stretch in franchise history, winning the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013 and 2015. The Blackhawks also made it to the Western Conference Final in 2014, losing to the Los Angeles Kings in an epic seven-game series.
As reports swirled about the possibility of Kane returning to Chicago, Bedard openly embraced the idea.
"I can't imagine his first game back at the (United Center), the reaction he'd get and how much juice that would bring to not only our team but our fans, as well," Bedard said Monday. "That would be incredible to play with him and learn from him. Hopefully he decides to come back."
