CHICAGO (AP) — Patrick Kane has rejoined the Chicago Blackhawks, agreeing to a $16 million, two-year contract with his first NHL team. The deal, which includes a full no-movement clause, was announced by the Blackhawks on Thursday. Kane, 37, became one of the NHL’s most dynamic players while spending his first 15-plus seasons in Chicago, helping the Blackhawks win three Stanley Cup championships.
He ranks among the franchise’s career leaders with 446 goals, 779 assists and 1,225 points. “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,” general manager Kyle Davidson said in a release. “He’s shown on countless occasions that he knows what it takes to win at the highest levels.” Kane has been skating at the franchise’s practice facility this summer, but the Blackhawks celebrated the reunion by posting video on social media of the winger taking the ice in the team’s red practice jersey.
Wrigley Field, home of baseball’s Chicago Cubs, also heralded Kane’s return with “WELCOME HOME PATRICK KANE!” splashed across its iconic marquee. 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. 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 isn’t same player he was during his first stint with the Blackhawks. But he had 16 goals and 41 assists in 67 games with the Detroit Red Wings last season. He has recorded at least 50 points in 18 of his 19 seasons.
1 overall pick in the 2007 draft passed Mike Modano in January for the most NHL points by a player born in the United States. He has 508 career goals — fourth on the U.S. list — and 1,400 points in 1,369 regular-season games.
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