General manager Kyle Davidson is open to other veteran free agents to boost his team's rebuild, however.
General manager Kyle Davidson is open to other veteran free agents to boost his team's rebuild, however.
Patrick Kane is a free agent. He bounced back solidly last season with the Detroit Red Wings following an invasive hip resurfacing surgery.
Fans in Chicago still love the 35-year-old future Hall of Famer. Some would love to see him skate with Connor Bedard.
But no, Kane won't be a Blackhawk again. It simply doesn't make sense and general manager Kyle Davidson has all-but said so.
"He did have a really good year," Davidson said at the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo. "I think we’re all really happy to see that after having his hip procedure last offseason. That was great to see.
"I think we made some really tough decisions on some longstanding players. I don’t foresee us going back on that."
Both Kane and Jonathan Toews, the pillars of the Blackhawks Stanley Cup runs in 2010, 2013 and 2015, exited the organization mostly on their own terms in 2022-23. Davidson managed their departures with sensitivity, and a vision to his team's future.
Both stars had eight-year, $84 million contracts that were set to expire. Kane was dealt to the contending New York Rangers with his approval just before the on Feb. 28 just before the trade deadline.
Technically, it was a three-team transaction that involved Arizona Coyotes. It resulted in the Blackhawk netting a second-round 2023 New York draft pick that became forward Martin Misiak.
Toews played out the end of the season with the Hawks, then just stopped playing altogether as he dealt with the effects of long COVID and chronic immune response syndrome. Officially, the former Chicago captain "has "stepped away from hockey," not retired.
Kane's Got Game, Just Not In Chicago
Kane might be able to go gangbusters for a few more years. Second only to Stan Mikita on the Blackhawks all-time points list, he will want a raise from the $2.75 million pro-rated one-year contract he signed with the Red Wings in a something of a test-run last season following his surgery and rehab.
Kane worked his derrière off and passed with flying colors, netting 20 goals and 47 points in 50 games after returning. He enjoyed being reunited with former Hawks teammate Alex DeBrincat. Still, the Red Wings narrowly missed the playoffs.
Kane will now want a longer term than one year.
The Blackhawks can afford it, but they're going forward and not back.
Even with the best intentions — and offensive output — Kane's presence would disrupt the evolution of the Blackhawks next era of leadership and team identity. Bedard and other young players would always be looking over their shoulders, and not just for a slick pass from No. 88.
And, presumably, Kane wants another kick at the Cup. He wouldn't get than in Chicago.
Other Free Agents? Possible.
Davidson is interested in other free agents or players via trade however. He just won't say who.
Expect something of a repeat approach from last summer, when the Blackhawks acquired veterans Nick Foligno and Taylor Hall from Boston.
The 36-year-old Foligno was a terrific addition on-and-off the ice, becoming a de facto captain and "team dad." Hall will have a chance to show it in 2024-25 as he's expected to come back robustly from right ACL surgery.
Corey Perry was supposed to help too, but was released in November for violating team policies. Ironically, the 39-year-old has landed in the Stanley Cup Final with the Edmonton Oilers.
"For me, with free agency or trade or whatever, because players you trade for could have term, it just has to make sense," Davidson said. "This is the way we approached last offseason, as well.
"If it makes sense and we feel there's value there, then it's something we'll explore," he added. "If they don't, you move past them. If they do, you consider them, and even those, they probably never happen." See video.
And adding UFA Jake Guentzel from Carolina? Well, Davidson said it's pure scuttlebutt.
"I’m not going to address any rumor," Davidson said. "That’s just the time of year. It is what it is. It’s fun. I follow it.
"For me, sometimes it’s more annoying than anything because I just get asked about it."