Since Patrick Kane was traded to the Rangers in 2023, a small subsection of fans online has been clamoring for the Chicago Blackhawks to bring their superstar back every summer. For the past three free agency periods, it hasn’t been a good idea, and that’s why Kane has been a Red Wing for the past three years.
This summer, though, the timing might be just right for the Blackhawks to make a move. On Wednesday morning, Pierre LeBrun reported that, while Detroit is still an option, Kane is testing the waters of free agency.
To be clear, Kane returning to Chicago isn’t exactly a done deal, nor is it a high probability. There are rumblings that he could be headed to the Sabres or Toronto, both destinations that would make sense.
But could the Blackhawks actually be in the mix? It’s no secret that while the Blackhawks added Bowen Byram and a few grinder veterans over the past week, there’s still a gaping hole on the top line next to Connor Bedard and maybe Roman Kantserov. Bringing back Kane could finally give Bedard a linemate he can develop chemistry with, and there’s no questioning his leadership abilities could help this young roster.
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No one can deny that bringing back Kane would be a fun, nostalgic adventure for the Blackhawks. With some of the fan base not thrilled with GM Kyle Davidson for the way he’s handled his gamble on Byram, this would certainly be a way to win them over. He certainly wouldn’t cost that much—the signings of Ian Cole and Cole Smith on Wednesday prove that Chicago isn’t worried about hitting the salary cap ceiling anytime soon. Kane’s previous cap hit was $3 million, and he’d probably consider something like that again.
But it isn’t always that easy. Kane certainly wants to go win another Stanley Cup, and while the Blackhawks have playoff aspirations this season, they’re still a few years away from Cup contention. He’d be more likely to sign with a contender like his hometown Sabres. Beyond that, Chicago has worked for years on building its leadership core from the ground up, starting with Bedard, who should be named captain this fall. Bringing Kane in, no matter what they say, will shake that up significantly.
While the door is open for Kane to return to the Blackhawks, and it would somewhat make sense for Chicago to pursue that option, it could hurt them more than help them in the long term. Couple that with the fact that he’s likely headed to Buffalo or another contender, and a Kane signing would be a surprise—albeit a pleasant one.
