On Friday morning, Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson and superstar forward Patrick Kane met with the media, together, in Chicago. That sentence didn’t feel like it would ever happen again on Feb. 28, 2023, when Davidson traded the icon to the New York Rangers.
More than three years later, the reunion is happening.
When Kane was traded to the Rangers and then Jonathan Toews’ contract ended at the conclusion of that season, Davidson was firm in his comments that the organization was moving on from the previous generation and giving a new wave of Blackhawks a fresh, clean slate on which to establish their culture and identities. So Davidson was asked about targeting Kane as a free agent specifically and what changed his thinking on a comeback.
“When Patrick departed a couple of years ago, we were just in a totally different spot as a franchise,” Davidson said. “We were much more at the outset of this whole project. And now that we’ve got some of these draft picks that have entered the NHL, established themselves in the NHL, [and] obviously continue to grow within the NHL, I felt, from an organizational standpoint and a roster standpoint, that the time was right. … Again, to be very clear, we’re bringing him in to contribute to the hockey team here. This is not … the nostalgia and the return is a very nice aspect of it, but it’s not the core reason. We’re bringing him in to make our team better, which we firmly believe that he does.”
But, after leaving and spending three full seasons away from Chicago, did Kane think a return to the Blackhawks would ever be in the cards for him?
“I mean, it’s always kind of in the back of your mind. I don’t know if I ever really thought it was possible to be honest with you,” Kane said. “But you start getting closer to July 1st … and then it got to the point where I kind of wanted to see what was out there and what teams would be interested. And obviously when Chicago showed their interest, it really got me interested as well. So you start looking at the team and the potential and kind of where they’re at as a group. I think it really made sense and seemed like a perfect fit for me.”
The nostalgia of Kane returning to where he established himself as one of the best Blackhawks and American-born players in NHL history is undeniable, though. When Kane returned for the first time with the Red Wings, the ovation was incredible. As was the applause he received when he won the game for the Red Wings in overtime.
Kane was asked about the comment Connor Bedard made earlier this week about his first game back in Chicago with the Blackhawks being something he couldn’t imagine. Kane said he thinks it’s going to be something special — and wonders if he maybe took how special playing for the Blackhawks is for granted before he left.
“I don’t know. I remember coming back last year. I was on the ice for the National Anthem and I was just so shocked at how loud it was and I was thinking to myself: ‘Is this how loud it is every game? Did I take it for granted when I was here?’ It felt so loud when I was out there. I’m sure it’ll be the same type of feeling going out for the first home game and being back, it’ll be pretty electric.”
Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick KaneWhat Patrick Kane Brings (Back) to the Blackhawks
But then there’s the on-ice component. Kane was asked if he has thought about playing with Bedard. He chuckled and flashed his trademark smile.
“I mean, how could you not, right?” he said. “He’s such a special player. This will be my 20th year in the league and I’d probably see passes I’ve never seen before playing with him. That speaks to how great of a player he is.”
Kane also mentioned that Frank Nazar has made an impression on him while they’ve been training together in Chicago this summer.
“No matter who it’s with, I’m going to try to make the most of it,” Kane said. “I’ve been skating with Frankie a lot and trying to develop some chemistry with him even though I’ve been signed for about one day. In the back of my mind, maybe I’ll be playing with this guy. So maybe we try to develop some chemistry, but he’s another great player too. Very impressed with him, his work ethic, his speed, skill.”
Bedard and Nazar might be the faces of the franchise now, but the Blackhawks have built an envious collection of skilled young players on the roster. American-born players like Nazar, Oliver Moore and Landon Slaggert have spoken with reverence about the place Kane holds not only in Chicago, but with USA Hockey as well. So there’s a chance there might be some awe in the room when Kane walks in for the first time as a teammate and not just a summer training partner.
Kane said he hopes to just fit in and be part of the Blackhawks team he’s joining.
“I hope that’s not the case where it’s like I’m coming in and they’re looking at me differently than they would any of their other teammates. I know there’s probably going to be certain circumstances where that happens, but I kind of want to be just like, I’m not saying I want to be like another guy on the team. I want to be a big leader and help the team take the next steps. But I want them to view me as their teammate as they would anyone else. And I think that’s going to be important for me early on is to kind of develop those relationships with the young guys. And … today I saw something where it was like I’m closer to, or [Anton] Frondell‘s closer to my son in age than he is to me.“
[Yes, Kane mentioning something I tweeted earlier on Friday morning made me smile. Not gonna lie.]
Kane made it crystal clear that he didn’t sign a two-year deal with the Blackhawks for a Disney-caliber ending to his illustrious career. He’s here to win games.
“Obviously the story is great, coming back to Chicago and being a Blackhawk again,” Kane said. “But most importantly, it was about coming to a team where I think I can fit in well, a team that’s on the rise, a team that’s looking to make some big steps forward and trying to make the playoffs.
“All that other stuff, all that is great, but that’s not why I’m here. That’s not the story. It’s to come back, help this team win, help this team get in the playoffs. It’s great to be a Blackhawk again — I’m familiar with the city, the facilities and situation — but I want to come back and make a difference and help the team win. It’s not like I’m coming back home to ride off into the sunset. I want to be a big player here and help the team win.”
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