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FILE – Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) skates before an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022, in Newark, N.J.<\/p>\n
Noah K. Murray\/AP Photo\/Noah K. Murray<\/p>\n
FILE – Detroit Red Wings right wing Patrick Kane (88) against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, April 13, 2026, in Tampa, Fla.<\/p>\n
Chris O’Meara\/AP Photo\/Chris O’Meara<\/p>\n
CHICAGO (AP) \u2014 Patrick Kane has rejoined the Chicago Blackhawks, agreeing to a $16 million, two-year contract with his first NHL team.<\/p>\n
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The deal, which includes a full no-movement clause, was announced by the Blackhawks on Thursday.<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
\u201cDay 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,\u201d general manager Kyle Davidson said in a release. \u201cHe\u2019s shown on countless occasions that he knows what it takes to win at the highest levels.”<\/p>\n
Kane has been skating at the franchise’s practice facility this summer, but the Blackhawks celebrated the reunion by posting video on social media<\/a> 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 \u201cWELCOME HOME PATRICK KANE!\u201d splashed across its iconic marquee<\/a>.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The rebuilding Blackhawks went 29-39-14 last season, an 11-point improvement on the previous season. The team has finished No. 31 in the NHL each of the past three years.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The No. 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 \u2014 fourth on the U.S. list \u2014 and 1,400 points in 1,369 regular-season games.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Kane was one of Chicago’s biggest stars during the best stretch in franchise history, winning the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013 and 2015. The Blackhawks also made it to the Western Conference Final in 2014, losing to the Los Angeles Kings in an epic seven-game series.<\/p>\n Kane, who won the 2016 Hart Trophy as NHL MVP, was traded to the New York Rangers in February 2023. The Blackhawks then won the draft lottery and took Bedard with the No. 1 overall pick that same year. As reports swirled about the possibility of Kane returning to Chicago, Bedard openly embraced the idea.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t imagine his first game back at the (United Center), the reaction he\u2019d get and how much juice that would bring to not only our team but our fans, as well,\u201d Bedard said Monday. \u201cThat would be incredible to play with him and learn from him. Hopefully he decides to come back.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n