The top U.S.-born scorer is returning to the Chicago Blackhawks, where he won three Stanley Cup titles from 2010 to 2015. Kane, 37, signed for two years at an $8 million average on Thursday, July 23.
Advertisement
His hometown Buffalo Sabres were his other choice, the Hall of Fame defenseman Chris Chelios told Chicago’s 104.3 The Score last week.
Kane’s arrival gives the Blackhawks a veteran star on the young team, which recently re-signed Connor Bedard to a five-year, $75 million contract but will be without the center until November after offseason shoulder surgery.
Kane, the No. 1 overall pick of the Blackhawks in 2007, previously played for Chicago from 2007-23, scoring 446 goals and 1,225 points in 1,161 regular-season games. He ranks second in franchise points behind Stan Mikita and third in goals behind Bobby Hull and Mikita.
Here are the winners and losers on Patrick Kane’s return to the Chicago Blackhawks:
Advertisement
More: Connor Bedard made passionate pitch to Patrick Kane as he considers Blackhawks return
1 / 28
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Forward Brady Tkachuk was traded to the Florida Panthers, where he will join brother Matthews.
(James Guillory, Imagn Images)
1 / 28
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Forward Brady Tkachuk was traded to the Florida Panthers, where he will join brother Matthews.
(James Guillory, Imagn Images)
2 / 28
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Forward Pavel Dorofeyev was traded to the New York Rangers.
(Bruce Bennett, Getty Images)
3 / 28
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Defenseman Darnell Nurse was traded to the San Jose Sharks.
(David Gonzales, Imagn Images)
4 / 28
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Defenseman Simon Nemec was traded to the Calgary Flames.
(Ed Mulholland, Imagn Images)
5 / 28
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Forward Vincent Trocheck was traded to the Utah Mammoth.
(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)
6 / 28
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Forward JJ Peterka was traded to the Boston Bruins.
(Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)
7 / 28
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Forward Mason McTavish was traded to the St. Louis Blues.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
8 / 28
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Mavrik Bourque was traded to the Nashville Predators.
(Steve Roberts, Imagn Images)
9 / 28
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Defenseman Bowen Byram was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks.
(Timothy T. Ludwig, Imagn Images)
10 / 28
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Forward Alex Tuch joined the Washington Capitals in a sign-and-trade.
(Winslow Townson, Imagn Images)
11 / 28
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Forward Jordan Kyrou was traded to the Washington Capitals.
(Isaiah J. Downing, Imagn Images)
12 / 28
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Goalie Jacob Markstrom was traded to the Florida Panthers.
(David Kirouac, Imagn Images)
13 / 28
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Forward Blake Coleman was traded to the Minnesota Wild.
(Jerome Miron, Imagn Images)
14 / 28
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Forward Keegan Kolesar was traded to the Detroit Red Wings.
(James Guillory-Imagn Images)
15 / 28
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Forward Nick Paul was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
16 / 28
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Forward William Eklund was traded to the Ottawa Senators.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
17 / 28
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Defenseman Darren Raddysh joined the Toronto Maple Leafs in a sign-and-trade deal.
(Darren Yamashita, Imagn Images)
18 / 28
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Forward Nick Paul was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
(Keito Newman, IMAGN IMAGES)
19 / 28
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Defenseman Marcus Pettersson was traded to the New York Rangers.
(Stan Szeto, Imagn Images)
20 / 28
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Goaltender Joonas Korpisalo was traded to the New York Rangers.
(James Guillory, Imagn Images)
21 / 28
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
(Dennis Schneidler, Imagn Images)
22 / 28
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Goaltender Frederik Andersen signed with the Edmonton Oilers.
(Stephen R. Sylvanie, Imagn Images)
23 / 28
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Forward Viktor Arvidsson signed with the Detroit Red Wings.
(Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images)
24 / 28
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Forward Mason Marchment signed with the San Jose Sharks.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
25 / 28
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Defenseman John Carlson was signed by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
(Stephen R. Sylvanie, Imagn Images)
26 / 28
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Forward Jack Roslovic signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
(Perry Nelson, Perry Nelson-Imagn Images)
27 / 28
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Forward Jaden Schwartz signed with the Colorado Avalanche.
(Stephen Brashear, Imagn Images)
28 / 28
NHL players who changed teams in the offseason
Defenseman Ian Cole signed with the Chicago Blackhawks.
(Stephen R. Sylvanie, Imagn Images)
WINNERS
Chicago Blackhawks
They haven’t made the playoffs since 2020 and have finished last in the Central Division the past four seasons. That isn’t likely to change, especially considering Bedard’s early absence. But bringing back a franchise icon will pump up the fan base and Kane can still produce, with 57 points in 67 games last season, when he passed Mike Modano to become the top U.S-born leading scorer. Kane can help with the offense while Bedard is out.
Connor Bedard
Could the new face of the franchise play alongside the franchise’s No. 2 overall scorer? Their styles would be a good fit. Plus, Kane would serve as a mentor. Bedard talked about the possibility of a Blackhawks reunion with Kane during a recent media availability.
Advertisement
“That would be incredible to get to play with him and learn from him,” he said. “It would make us a way better team. He’s still an amazing player.”
Patrick Kane
Kane cashes in with an $8 million average annual value contract after three smaller deals. He had signed a $2.75 million deal with the Detroit Red Wings in 2023-24 after he recovered from hip surgery, then re-signed for one-year deals of $4 million and $3 million with performance bonuses. According to puckpedia.com, he gets an $8 million signing bonus and a $6 million one the second year, with annual $1 million salaries.
More: NHL free agency 2026 recap: Frederik Andersen, Sergei Bobrovsky move on Day 1
Advertisement
LOSERS
Kane was born in Buffalo but chose a different kind of homecoming by signing with the Blackhawks. The Sabres lost free agent Alex Tuch to the Washington Capitals in a sign-and-trade deal but haven’t replaced his 33 goals. Kane had 20 or more goals in his first two seasons in Detroit.
Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings gave Kane a chance after his hip surgery and he spent three seasons there, totaling 163 points in 189 games. Though former general manager Steve Yzerman said he wanted to re-sign Kane, Detroit wasn’t on his top two list, according to Chelios. That’s another blow in a tumultuous offseason that has seen Yzerman give up the general manager role and captain Dylan Larkin ask for a trade.
Advertisement
Blackhawks youngsters
This is more a winner than a loser because they will benefit from having the veteran around, but Kane will assume a big role on the team and younger players will have to wait for their opportunity.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Connor Bedard, Sabres among winners, losers of Patrick Kane Blackhawks deal
