The NHL slowed down the free agency in July, but some notable names are still out on the board. Most notably, Patrick Kane is returning to the Chicago Blackhawks on a two-year contract worth $16 million, the team announced on Thursday.
Already a Chicago legend and future Hall of Famer, Kane has won three Stanley Cups and individual awards with the franchise, which ranks him with the No. 1 overall pick in 2007, he killed it. Kane’s debut with the Blackhawks lasted 16 seasons, and he accumulated 446 goals and 779 assists in 1,161 games. Kane ranks in the top five in nearly every statistical category in franchise history, and he’ll have a chance to climb those charts in the next two years.
The Blackhawks sent Kane to the New York Rangers at the 2023 NHL trade deadline, and he played just 19 regular-season games there before hitting free agency next summer. Hip surgery delayed Kane’s decision until November of that year, but he eventually landed with the Detroit Red Wings, where he played the final three seasons.
Kane’s last season in Detroit was excellent, and he proved that he still has some gas left in the tank, at least offensively. Kane posted 16 goals and 41 assists in 67 games — with 19 of those points coming on the power play.
In his second stint with the Blackhawks, Kane will add another level of playmaking to the power play and bolster a top-six forward group that is lacking in proven talent. Kane will also be an excellent mentor and sounding board for partner No. 1 overall pick, Connor Bedard, who will miss the first month of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery.
Kane hasn’t been the player he once was, but he’ll give Chicago a little more pop at the top of the lineup, and his first game back in a Blackhawks jersey will be a huge night for the city.
Here are the top 30 NHL free agents so we can track where each ranks worldwide.