While he admitted that he initially thought that he would be returning to the Detroit Red Wings for a third straight full campaign, Patrick Kane is back where it all began.
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Kane did not re-sign with the Red Wings and instead returned to the Chicago Blackhawks, signing a two-year, $16 million contract with the franchise that selected him first overall in the 2007 NHL Draft.
With Chicago, Kane won the Stanley Cup three times while cementing his status as one of the best American-born players in NHL history. And he’ll be welcomed back in style on Tuesday evening when he throws out the first pitch at Wrigley Field as part of the Crosstown Classic series between the Chicago Cubs and White Sox.
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Kane, who was traded from the Blackhawks to the New York Rangers at the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline, underwent hip resurfacing surgery that offseason and was out of action until December when he signed with the Red Wings.
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It was former Blackhawks teammate Alex DeBrincat who played a key role in recruiting Kane to Detroit, where he would play until earlier this spring.
Kane, who signed consecutive one-year contracts with the Red Wings, admitted that he anticipated yet another extension in Detroit, but that circumstances changed.
While Kane did not specify exactly what circumstances shifted his mentality, it’s not hard to make an educated guess. Not only did captain Dylan Larkin request to be traded after the club once again missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but GM Steve Yzerman vacated his role just over a month later.
Currently, the Red Wings are in limbo without a general manager and zero official updates regarding a timeline for when that position will be filled from the team. Meanwhile, Larkin has reportedly not budged from his trade request.
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Shortly after returning to the Blackhawks, Kane penned a heartfelt letter of thanks to the Red Wings and to the fans for embracing him, saying that he’ll always look back upon his time in Detroit fondly.
But the departure of Kane, who registered 57 points last season, leaves a massive hole for a team that already struggled to produce offense.
He’ll make his return to Little Caesars Arena with the Blackhawks in late October, and he’ll almost certainly receive a video tribute and warm reception from the fans.
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