Although the return of “Showtime” Kane to Chicago led many to believe—or wish—that he would become the franchise’s captain, there was an obvious choice in Bedard. Even Kane, who took the decision with grace and had kind words for Bedard, agreed.

“It makes sense in a lot of ways. Kind of a no-brainer,” Kane said about the Blackhawks’ naming of Bedard as team captain.

Kane’s window closed

It takes a lot for Kane to make such a statement. His captaincy window has now closed in Chicago. Hopefully, another Stanley Cup window has opened, instead. As big a legend as he is in the City of Big Shoulders, Kane has never worn the C for the Hawks. Some leaders don’t need a letter on their jerseys, though.

Still, just in case, the Blackhawks have announced Kane will serve as an alternate captain during the 2026-27 NHL season. Bedard will be captain, while Kane and Tyler Bertuzzi will serve as the alternates. Although the team will look at Kane for guidance and leadership, Kane admitted he’s learning valuable lessons himself.

“These guys want to be good players. It’s pushing me in a way, too,” Kane commented. “[I’m] 37, turning 38 and accomplished some great things, but it still feels like there’s a lot left on the table and a lot left to accomplish — because these guys haven’t done it and they’re pushing to do it.”

Last time Chicago named a young captain

Although being led by a 21-year-old at 37 may be a strange feeling for Kane, he has been here before and knows how much success the Blackhawks had the last time they named a captain at such a young age. Back in 2008, the Hawks named Jonathan Toews (20 years, 79 days) as captain.

In fact, Bedard became the second-youngest captain in franchise history, behind only Toews. If the Bedard-led Hawks can have even a third of the success Toews’ dynasty had, then it’s about to become a fun time to be a Blackhawks fan in the NHL.

Blackhawks’ last five captains

“He feels as good as he has in a long time,” Blashill said about Kane, via the Chicago Sun-Times. “He’s skating well; he’s moving well. Guys that play with their brain first seem to last a long time in this league, and he certainly has.”

Kane hasn’t played a full season since the 2020-21 NHL campaign, which was shortened to 56 games. His last full 82-game season was back in 2017-18, with the Hawks. Since then, he’s missed 71 games (not counting the shortened seasons in 2019-20 and 2020-21).

Considering the Hawks have signed 37-year-old Kane to a two-year, $16 million ($8 million AAV) deal with a total salary of $9 million this season, they will hope to have him available for as many games as possible. And that his production is something to write home about, too.

Good news for the Blackhawks

With the dog days of summer slowly becoming a thing of the past, such a confident message from the coach about the homecoming legend is all fans wanted to hear. Kane is back!

When it’s added to a recent Blackhawks report dismissing concerns around Connor Bedard’s speedy rehab, it looks like the sun is finally coming up for the Blackhawks. It’s been a long time since fans in the Windy City experienced such a feeling.

Blashill on Kane’s role

While Blashill didn’t dive too deep into whether Kane will be handed the C or Bedard will be named captain instead, he did send out a strong message about what Kane’s role will be. Not just on the ice, but off it, too. And perhaps that leadership role behind closed doors will be even more crucial to Chicago’s development.

“[Kane is] going to have a very good impact, and that’s before we start even talking about offensive production,” Blashill commented. “His impact in the locker room, the example and expectation that he sets, how he approaches every single day in terms of reaching for and demanding excellence.”

Tired of being locked away in the NHL’s basement, the young Hawks are ready to kick the door down, but they will need an experienced voice of command to keep them grounded once they get out. That’s where Kane comes in, and why the Blackhawks are paying him the big bucks, even at 37.

“There’s a lot of gravity to [Kane’s] presence. There’s huge value in that, but there are also some elements that, if the players aren’t prepared, they might be watching him a little too much. And they haven’t figured out what works for them or gotten comfortable in their own skin,” Davidson said during an appearance on CHGO Blackhawks.

Adding a seasoned NHL star like Kane could create a dilemma for the Blackhawks. Up until now, Chicago had stuck to its rebuilding plan—even if it had little to show for it. For better or worse, landing Kane was a massive shift in the status quo.

Double-edged signing for Blackhawks

Signing Kane is seen by some as the Blackhawks going back on their word and abandoning their previous approach. It doesn’t have to be that way, however. Only time will tell, though.

If Kane is willing to help the young squad in whatever role Jeff Blashill and company ask of him, his presence may bring nothing but positives. However, if the team can’t adapt to Kane—or vice versa—it could erase all the progress the Hawks made, especially late in the 2025-26 NHL season.

Kane’s presence could affect team at times

That’s easier said than done, and having Kane on the ice could lead players to force passes just to get him the puck. That’s one of the things Davidson and the organization hope to avoid. Kane is just another teammate, even if he was a childhood hero to many of Chicago’s young players.

It’s an intriguing aspect of “Showtime’s” return to the Windy City and something to keep an eye on heading into training camp and the regular season.

After leaving the Detroit Red Wings and signing with Chicago, Kane revealed that he has already spoken with longtime teammate Jonathan Toews about the possibility of returning to the NHL.

Although there is no indication that a comeback is imminent, Kane’s latest comments have reignited hope among Blackhawks fans dreaming of one final reunion between two of the organization’s biggest icons.

Patrick Kane asked Jonathan Toews about a comeback

Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews formed one of the greatest duos of the modern era, helping the Blackhawks win three Stanley Cups and defining an unforgettable chapter in franchise history.

Now, with Kane back in Chicago to help the Blackhawks, speculation has begun over whether the legendary captain could be tempted to lace up his skates one more time.

Appearing on Pardon My Take, Kane admitted that he has already floated the idea of Toews returning for another season. “He was like, ‘I’m actually jealous.’ Then, I’m like, ‘Hey, maybe you should come back for a year.’ He’s like, ‘I’m thinking about it.'”

Could Jonathan Toews return with Blackhawks?

Jonathan Toews spent his entire first NHL chapter with the Blackhawks from 2007 through 2023, winning three Stanley Cups alongside Kane before later finishing his playing career with the Winnipeg Jets.

After his final season in Winnipeg, Toews announced his retirement, seemingly closing the book on one of the most decorated careers of his generation. However, Kane’s latest comments have introduced an intriguing possibility.

Even if a return remains unlikely, the fact that Toews admitted he is “thinking about it” is enough to spark optimism that one of the NHL’s most iconic partnerships might not be finished just yet.

Although the Red Wings are still processing the fact that Larkin wants out and Kane is gone, they can’t ignore the ticking clock ahead of the 2026-27 NHL season. Truth be told, that’s much easier said than done. On top of that, Kane’s media tour after returning to Chicago has only made things more difficult for Detroit, which may have just learned an uncomfortable truth about his departure.

“At the end of the season I thought I’d be going back to Detroit,” Kane admitted during an interview on Pardon My Take. “You know, things happen, and it’s like let’s just take our time, see what’s out there July 1st.“

Larkin’s trade request likely the last straw

Kane didn’t say it outright, but all signs point to Larkin’s trade request pushing him to test free agency. When Kane said “things happen,” he probably alluded to Larkin’s blunt decision. After three straight seasons in which the Red Wings missed the playoffs, learning that not even the captain believed in the organization’s direction—and wanted out of his home state of Michigan—might have been the final nail in the coffin for Kane’s time in Motor City.

At the end of the day, Kane will turn 38 next season and can’t afford to head into another campaign with low expectations for his team. He has previously explained why he sees potential in Chicago, in comments many believe Kane was taking a shot at the Red Wings with. Whether that was truly his intention, only Kane knows, and it matters little.

What’s clear is that Kane is convinced returning to the Blackhawks was the right choice and that his time with the Red Wings was nearing its end. He may not have realized it during the season, but Larkin’s trade request might have been what ultimately opened his eyes.

Detroit wouldn’t have paid Kane as much

Kane signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Blackhawks that caught the NHL by surprise. Many see the deal as an overpay on Chicago’s part. The reality, though, is that the Hawks have more than enough cap space to accommodate such a contract and knew that was the easiest way to put the matter to rest and avoid Kane signing elsewhere.

From a pure salary-cap standpoint, the Red Wings could also have paid Kane $8 million per year, but they are in a much different position with their roster, and it wouldn’t have been a wise move on their part. For the Blackhawks, on the other hand, paying Kane that much makes plenty of sense.

Moreover, Detroit gave Kane three consecutive one-year deals, during which he earned a combined $9.75 million. In just one season back in the Windy City, “Showtime” will almost match his career earnings during his entire stint in Motor City.

Couldn’t turn Chicago down

When every moving part is weighed, Kane’s return to Chicago made too much sense. He’s back in a city that adores him, where he has nothing to prove and everything to gain. That was far from his reality in Detroit, where Kane was a fan favorite but could just as easily end up in the media’s meat grinder after every team-wide misstep.

In the City of Big Shoulders, Kane is a walking legend, and he’s set to join a young squad brimming with potential and eager to take the league by storm. In Motor City, on the other hand, the future is uncertain, and the air seems to grow heavier by the minute.

According to reporter Ansar Khan of mlive.com, Yzerman had offered Mantha a one-year contract worth $5 million. The then-Red Wings GM was relieved of his duties days later, causing the potential agreement to fall through.

Mantha, who is coming off a career-high 33 goals and 64 points with the Pittsburgh Penguins, was believed to have been close to returning to Detroit. However, the team that ultimately secured his services was the New Jersey Devils, signing him to a two-year contract with a $4.75 million average annual value.

Larkin is reportedly fully convinced about leaving the Red Wings, which could create a major issue for the team’s offense heading into the upcoming season. Will they be able to strengthen the positions left vacant and build a competitive roster?

Mantha’s time in Detroit

Selected 20th overall in the first round of the 2013 NHL Draft, Anthony Mantha spent six seasons giving Red Wings fans a bit of everything, flashes of high-end goal-scoring mixed with a fair share of inconsistency. In total, he tallied 95 goals and 99 assists for 194 points in 302 games with Detroit.

Seeing enough promise, GM Steve Yzerman signed him to a four-year extension on Nov. 3, 2020 ($5.7 million AAV) and then traded him to Washington on April 12, 2021, pulling off a blockbuster deadline move before that big deal barely had time to kick in.

What will happen with Dylan Larkin?

The situation surrounding Dylan Larkin and his future with the Red Wings has not changed much. The good news for the team at the moment is that Alex DeBrincat reportedly won’t follow in Larkin’s footsteps, meaning Detroit might retain an important player.

The Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, and Dallas Stars are the potential destinations for this player, who has already made it clear that he wants a new chapter in his career.

Kane’s return immediately transformed the outlook in Chicago. Instead of focusing solely on the long-term development of their young core, the Blackhawks now believe they have assembled a roster capable of competing at a much higher level while accelerating Connor Bedard’s growth into one of the NHL’s elite superstars.

No one appears more excited about the move than Bedard himself, who grew up watching Kane dominate the league and now has the opportunity to share the ice with one of his childhood idols.

Connor Bedard reacts to Patrick Kane’s return

Speaking with TSN, Connor Bedard admitted he and his teammates were hoping Patrick Kane would choose the Chicago Blackhawks over other reported destinations.

“I was pretty fired up. You kind of hear it could happen and you’re hearing Chicago or Buffalo or whatever and you’re just kind of praying that he joins us. Probably everyone on the team texted every other person on the team how fired up they were and just to have someone like that, obviously the legacy portion of it but just him as a player as well, he’s going to add a lot to us. We’re all thrilled for sure.”

The comments highlight just how significant Kane’s return has been inside the Blackhawks’ locker room. Chicago spent the last several seasons rebuilding around Bedard, but the addition of Kane signals that the organization is ready to become more competitive.

The veteran winger returns with three Stanley Cup championships, a Hart Trophy, and more than 1,300 career points, providing invaluable experience to one of the league’s youngest rosters.

With Bedard continuing to develop into a franchise player and Kane bringing leadership, scoring, and championship pedigree back to Chicago, the Blackhawks believe they have taken an important step toward becoming legitimate Stanley Cup contenders once again.

Although Kane sent the Red Wings an emotional goodbye message, he hasn’t hidden his pent-up frustration. Back in Chicago, he wants to make sure everybody is on the same page. Not many believe the Blackhawks will be a playoff team in the 2026-27 NHL season, but Kane doesn’t care.

While some believe Kane took a shot at the Red Wings when explaining his return to the Blackhawks, this latest comment wasn’t a dig at his former team so much as a reflection of how eager he is to make up for what went wrong in Detroit.

“I would love to see this team in the playoffs,” Kane didn’t stutter to confess in only his first days back on the Blackhawks, via CHSN. “I think it would be incredible to have some playoff games at the United Center again. That’s kind of where we are at. That’s probably the biggest goal.”

Kane says anything can happen in playoffs

Not many have the Blackhawks making the postseason on their bingo cards. Kane knows that. But that only adds another layer to why Chicago wants to prove fans and analysts around the NHL wrong.

It’s been a while since the Blackhawks last got a taste of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but if there’s someone who can convince fans in Chicago they have a chance, it’s Kane. After all, “Showtime” is synonymous with the Hawks’ dynasty, and perhaps a new one can begin as he joins Connor Bedard—who subtly asked to play alongside Kane on the top line—and the rest of the young core.

“In the playoffs, anything can happen. You’ve seen it with teams,” Kane commented. “[The Florida Panthers] were the last team in the playoffs [in 2023] they made it to the finals and then you see the run they went on. Vegas and Detroit had the same amount of points last year. Detroit misses the playoffs, and Vegas makes the Stanley Cup final. There’s so much parity in the league you just really need to find a way to get in.”

Tall order for Chicago

If Chicago makes it to the playoffs, anything can happen. The challenge is getting there, and that’s no small feat for a Blackhawks team that shares a division with the likes of the Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild, and Dallas Stars, among other potential contenders.

Last time Chicago made the playoffs

The Blackhawks’ last playoff appearance came in 2020. After advancing through the qualifying round, Chicago lost to the Golden Knights in five games during the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the Edmonton bubble. The Hawks haven’t played a postseason game since.

If you only count full seasons with no asterisks, Chicago’s most recent playoff appearance dates back to the 2016-17 campaign. Nearly a decade has passed since the Predators swept the Blackhawks in the first round, a series widely regarded as the official end of Chicago’s dynasty.

Last time Kane played in playoffs

As for Kane, he hasn’t reached the postseason since the 2022-23 campaign, when he was with the New York Rangers and suffered a first-round elimination at the hands of the New Jersey Devils in seven games. For Kane, it’s been three seasons since his last playoff appearance—exactly the time he spent with the Red Wings.

Now back in Chicago, the memories of his glory years in the Windy City are impossible to ignore. However, Kane didn’t return to indulge in nostalgia. He wants more, and he’s making that clear from the very beginning.

“Everyone he’s played with, he’s made them better,” Bedard said during an interview on OverDrive. “Probably the best hands ever in the history of hockey and one of the best passers, some of the best IQ. So if it’s me or whoever is playing on his line, it’s going to make that player so much better. I’d be very lucky to get some passes from him for sure.”

Bedard didn’t go over the top with his statement, yet he got his message across and made it clear just how much he’d like to play with arguably the best American skater in NHL history. The Blackhawks have time to decide what the best course of action is, and Bedard will likely be back on the ice by late October-November, but the young star has made his pitch.

Much-needed help for Bedard

It’s been a long time coming, but Bedard finally has the chance to play alongside an elite talent on Chicago’s top unit—even if it comes in the form of a 37-year-old Kane. Better late than never.

The Blackhawks’ potential forward lines are one of the most intriguing storylines heading into the new season, and even if Bedard isn’t available on opening night, he is already looking forward to sharing the ice with “Showtime.”

In the meantime, Bedard’s comments serve as a subtle “save me a spot” message to the organization. If one thing is clear, is that when Bedard speaks, Chicago listens.

Will Kane and Bedard play together?

Whether pairing Kane and Bedard on the top line is the right move, or whether the Blackhawks would be better off spreading out their talent across the top six, only time will tell. As with many things in Chicago lately, it will likely come down to trial and error. Those are the growing pains that accompany every NHL rebuild.

By now, the Blackhawks are all too familiar with them, and Kane will have to get used to them as well. It’s exactly what he signed up for when he put pen to paper on his new contract, a deal that underscores the organization’s urgency to help Bedard and the rest of the roster take the next step.

Although Kane’s homecoming to Chicago has generated enormous excitement, the veteran made it clear that leaving Detroit was far from easy. Before turning his attention to the next stage of his career, he took time to thank the organization, his teammates, and especially the Red Wings fans.

The heartfelt message quickly resonated across social media, with many Detroit supporters thanking Kane for his professionalism and leadership during the past three seasons despite the team falling short of returning to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Patrick Kane thanks the Red Wings

In his farewell message, Patrick Kane expressed his gratitude to everyone within the franchise. “Thank you to Marian and Chris Ilitch, Steve Yzerman, all the coaches, players, trainers, equipment managers, and everyone within the organization for making Detroit a special place for me and my family over the past few seasons.”

Special message for Red Wings fans

Kane also delivered an emotional message directly to Detroit fans, admitting he never expected to receive such overwhelming support after spending most of his career with one of the Red Wings’ biggest rivals.

“To the fans, wow what can I say. The support I felt over the last few seasons was unbelievable. I never expected that coming from Chicago. To score my 500th goal and 1375th point at home at the LCA, in front of you was perfect. Thank you for all of your love. Sorry we couldn’t get over the hump and get in the playoffs. That’s all anyone wanted.”

Finally, Kane said it was a privilege to wear the Red Wings sweater before returning to Chicago. “It was truly an honor to be a Red Wing and I enjoyed every minute of it. To be part of a storied franchise and be welcomed with open arms is something my family and I will never forget. Thank you Detroit!”

While Kane will now begin a new chapter with the Blackhawks, his farewell made it clear that his time in Detroit will always remain a meaningful part of his remarkable NHL career.

The reunion immediately became one of the biggest stories of the NHL offseason. Kane built his Hall of Fame résumé in Chicago, winning three Stanley Cups, a Hart Trophy, a Conn Smythe Trophy, and establishing himself as one of the greatest players in franchise history before leaving in 2023.

Now, at 37 years old, Kane has made it clear that this isn’t simply a farewell tour. He returned to Chicago with one objective in mind: helping the Blackhawks become contenders again.

Patrick Kane sends clear message after returning to Chicago Blackhawks

Speaking after his signing became official, Patrick Kane explained exactly why he chose to return to the Blackhawks. A clear warning to the entire NHL that the goal is to chase the Stanley Cup.

“What a time! To say I get to be a Blackhawk again is an amazing feeling. I chose to come back because of the talent here and to be a part of helping this iconic franchise get back to the next level. And also try to help the team win.”

The comments quickly resonated with Blackhawks fans, many of whom view Kane’s return as a symbolic step toward restoring the franchise’s winning culture.

How much money will Patrick Kane earn with Blackhawks?

Patrick Kane returns to Chicago on a two-year contract worth $8 million per season, a deal that could represent the final chapter of his remarkable NHL career.

“The love, passion and energy I’ve felt from the fans have been unparalleled, even when I was not wearing the Blackhawks sweater. There’s nothing like the city of Chicago and home games in the UC. I cannot wait to pull the home red jersey on, hear that anthem, and play in front of you again. Let’s go!”