Connor Bedard is getting his wish — Patrick Kane is returning to the Chicago Blackhawks.
The 37-year-old Kane and the Blackhawks have agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal, the team announced on Thursday.
“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 statement. “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.”
Kane spent parts of the first 16 seasons of his NHL career with the Blackhawks after being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 NHL Draft. He won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year, Hart Trophy as league MVP, a scoring title and was named an NHL First-team All-Star three times. He, along with the recently retired Jonathan Toews, also led the Blackhawks to three Stanley Cup titles in 2010, 2013 and 2015.
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As the Blackhawks transitioned into a rebuild, Kane was dealt at the 2023 NHL trade deadline to the New York Rangers. Following that season, he signed with the Detroit Red Wings where he’s spent the past three seasons.
Kane was reportedly weighing an option to sign with his hometown of Buffalo to play for the Sabres, but a return to where his NHL career began won out — maybe with a little help from Bedard.
Speaking to reporters earlier this week after signing a five-year, $75 million contract extension with the Blackhawks, Bedard said he was hoping Kane would come back to the franchise.
“I don’t know what I can say to persuade his decision, but we’d all be so excited to have a player like that but also a guy like that,” Bedard said. “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. That would be incredible to get to play with him and learn from him.”
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In 1,369 regular-season games, Kane has scored 508 goals and recorded 1,400 points. Over 143 Stanley Cup playoff games, he has netted 53 goals and 138 points.
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