CHICAGO (AP) 鈥� When the Chicago Blackhawks selected Patrick Kane No. 1 overall in the 2007 draft, they counted on the forward, then just 18, to give their rebuilding team and its sputtering offense an immediate boost.
Fast-forward 19 years: The Blackhawks again hope that Kane, now 37 and entering his 20th NHL season, will do the same after signing the all-time scoring leader among U.S.-born players
鈥淚 mean that鈥檚 kind of always what I鈥檝e been known to do is help produce,鈥� Kane said Friday at the Blackhawks practice facility. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 think that鈥檚 going to change any time now. I鈥檓 excited to come back and try to produce and fit in with all these young players and guys that I can play with, help build chemistry, learn. So do all those things. Help the team win. Help the team score.”
Kane said he feels strong three years after undergoing a major hip resurfacing surgery and rehabbing his way back for three solid seasons with the Detroit Red Wings.
Kane has 1,400 points in 1,369 career NHL games (508 goals and 892 assists). He cranked out 16 goals and 41 assists in 67 games last season for Detroit and says he鈥檚 not slowing down.
The homecoming is nice but the Blackhawks need production
Kane had discussions with his hometown Buffalo Sabres after becoming a free agent on July 1. But it seems to have been an easy decision to return to Chicago, where he spent his first 15-plus NHL seasons and helped the Blackhawks win three Stanley Cup championships as one of the NHL鈥檚 most electrifying players.
Kane said there wasn鈥檛 one deciding factor in returning to Chicago, where he has spent his summers. He acknowledged the homecoming, but said his biggest focus is helping a team 鈥渢hat鈥檚 on the rise, a team that鈥檚 looking to make some big steps forward and trying to make the playoffs”
鈥淚t鈥檚 not like I鈥檓 just coming back home, to you know, ride off into the sunset or whatever it is,” Kane said 鈥淵ou know I want to be a big player here and help the team win.鈥�
Kane is looking forward to skating with Connor Bedard
Part of that will be meshing with Chicago鈥檚 young forwards. That starts with center Connor Bedard, the Blackhawks only other No. 1 overall draft pick who was selected in 2023.
Bedard will miss the early part of the season after left shoulder surgery on July 8. Bedard, who signed a $75 million, five-year contract last week, got hurt skating with a group of NHL players near his home in suburban Vancouver. Once Bedard returns, Kane can鈥檛 wait to skate with him.
鈥淗e鈥檚 such a special player,鈥� Kane said. 鈥淭his will be my 20th year in the league and I鈥檒l probably see passes I鈥檝e never seen before playing with him. But I mean, wherever I fit in, I fit in. No matter who it is, I鈥檓 going to try to make the most of it.鈥�
The statistical symmetry between the Blackhawks in 2006-07, the season before Kane entered as a rookie, and last year鈥檚 team is stunning.
The 2006-07 Blackhawks scored just 201 goals, second lowest in the NHL, as they went 31-42-9 for 71 points. With Kane in the lineup the following year 鈥� and posting 21 goals and 51 assists 鈥� Chicago jumped to 40-34-9 and 88 points. The Blackhawks scored 239 times and narrowly missed the playoffs.
In 2025-26, Chicago finished at 29-39-14 with 72 points, and scored just 213 goals, behind only Calgary (212).
Blackhawks GM says the timing was right
Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said it was time to bring Kane back after dealing him to the New York Rangers just before the March 2023 trade deadline.
Davidson was beginning a major overhaul of his roster then. In addition to focusing on prospects, he said the Blackhawks also needed to focus on building a new leadership core.
That process, with Bedard leading the way, has already started, Davidson said. Kane can only help now.
鈥淭hey (Blackhawks young players) already know their way around the league a little bit,鈥� Davidson said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the right time for him (Kane) to come, step in, join a group of of not all young players 鈥�- but a considerable group of young players -鈥� and provide high-end play, but also high-end leadership and a lot of different things that he can impart on our young players.”
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