Many people thought the storybook had closed. Patrick Kane built what should be a Hall of Fame career with the Chicago Blackhawks. He became a perennial All-Star, one of hockey’s great offensive weapons, and a three-time Stanley Cup champion. His departure in that New York Rangers trade four years ago felt like a sad ending to one of the best books you’ve ever read. For Kane, it was a chance to build his Hall of Fame case elsewhere. For Chicago, it was a fresh start. The odds were that no reunion would happen. It would be several years before the team was ready to win again. By then, Kane would likely be retired.
So you can imagine the surprise and delight of Blackhawks fans when the 37-year-old accepted a two-year contract to rejoin the team as one of Connor Bedard’s new wingers. It is a true full-circle moment. Kane was there at the genesis of the dynasty in the late 2000s. Now he’s back to maybe help reignite another young team to playoff contention.
That may not even be the best part, though. Kane went on Pardon My Take to discuss his return. It was there that he let slip he might not be the only one considering it. Fellow partner in crime, Jonathan Toews, also has the bug now.
Patrick Kane and Toews reuniting for one more year would be so fitting.
Those two were the core of those championship teams. It would be the equivalent of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen reuniting with the Bulls years after their final championship in 1998. Imagine the fan frenzy for that. There were already indications of how Toews felt when Kane’s return was first announced. He was asked about his feelings on the matter. His response said a lot.
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“We were texting, and as happy as I am for him, I told him I’m straight-up jealous that he’s gonna get to play for the Hawks again.”
He, too, had left Chicago in 2022-2023, but for different reasons. Toews had been battling long COVID for years, sapping his one unmatchable strength, stamina, and drive. He finally returned to the ice last season for his hometown Winnipeg Jets, putting together a solid campaign with 11 goals, 18 assists, and 29 points.
Sadly, a crushing four-game losing streak at the end of the season killed any hopes of making the playoffs. Toews felt he’d accomplished his goal, proving he could still play. Satisfied, he opted to retire. Most thought that was the end of it. He had no real incentives to return. Clearly, that has changed. Can he summon enough drive for one more season if it’s in his beloved red and black?
Nobody should say this pairing can’t help the Hawks.
Sure, they won’t be the focal point of the team as they were years ago. That baton has long passed to Bedard and some of the other ascending young talents the team has assembled. However, Patrick Kane is still a highly effective complementary offensive piece. He can teach Bedard all sorts of crafty tricks since the two are so much alike in style. As for Toews, his leadership alone would be welcome on any of the reserve lines. That is before you bring up his 62.7 win percentage on face-offs last season. He still knows how to win at the dot.
Kane and Toews might not be the guys to push this team into Cup contention anymore. Still, they have enough left in the tank to make the Blackhawks a deeper and more experienced team. That is often the difference between playoffs and no playoffs. Chicago has plenty of cap space, and Toews likely won’t command a large contract. If it gets the duo together one more time, it’s worth it.
