Patrick Kane back to the Chicago Blackhawks?

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Josh Tupper
May 23, 2024 (2:08 PM)

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The Chicago Blackhawks hope to add players to their roster this summer-whether via trades or free agency-in order to advance in their rebuilding process.

For the Blackhawks, adding a scoring winger to complement Connor Bedard would be ideal. If they choose to test the free market on July 1st, General Manager Kyle Davidson has a few options to choose from, including Steven Stamkos and Sam Reinhart.

However, there is another exciting name that Chicago Blackhawks fans will be familiar with as an unrestricted free agent on Canada Day: future Hall of Famer Patrick Kane.

Traded to the New York Rangers in 2023, Kane left the Blackhawks. After becoming a UFA that summer, Kane had surgery and didn't sign a new contract until November, when he did so with the Detroit Red Wings for a single season.

Could Patrick Kane go back to Chicago, the city that made him famous and produced three Stanley Cups? It's definitely conceivable, and the Blackhawks will internally debate whether to bring the 35-year-old back, said Scott Powers of The Athletic.

"But, now, I'm not so confident about what's going to happen. I've heard enough in the past few weeks to believe that the Blackhawks are going to at least internally discuss whether to re-sign Kane. The answer may not change, but I do think it's an agenda item as they lead up to free agency.

There is the question of whether Kane wants to return, but I do believe he's open to it. Kyle Davidson made sure Kane's departure was as smooth as possible, and that the relationship wasn't fractured." Powers said.

One of the greatest players in Chicago Blackhawks history, Kane is a native of Buffalo, New York. He is presently only 242 points behind Stan Mikita for the team record. With the Blackhawks, Kane has 1,225 points in 1,161 games (446 goals, 779 assists).

It would be intriguing to see whether Kyle Davidson can work out a deal with Patrick Kane to bring him back to the Windy City as he wants to strengthen his club and surround Connor Bedard with a strong core.