It’s showtime again in Chicago. Patrick Kane is back where it all began, signing a 2-year contract to likely finish his career as a Blackhawk.
Reactions were mixed, but most Blackhawks fans were thrilled to see him back where he belongs. The $8 million cap hit raised concerns, and many hockey fans were surprised by the high number. Regardless, the team has the cash, and they used it on a player whose value transcends the ice.
What Kane Provides
The truth is, Kane might be more of a business decision than a hockey decision. With Connor Bedard out to start the season, Kane will get fans at the United Center through the opening chapter of the year. Even after a lackluster offseason headlined by their star’s injury, this signing alone has Blackhawks buzz at a recent high. Fans are excited, and the team should keep filling the United Center.
Of course, that doesn’t mean Kane won’t improve the team’s overall quality. Had Kane played for the Blackhawks last year, he would have been third in total points and fourth in goals. Even playing just 67 games, Kane would have been an important offensive contributor. He provides stability in the top-six, an exits-and-entries game that the Blackhawks are desperate for, and he can help lead the power play to success that they struggled to find last season.
Additionally, and most obviously, is his leadership. Who better to lead a young group of Blackhawks than the man himself? Originally, Kyle Davidson wanted to move on from Kane so that the next generation could take over. Now that players like Bedard, Frank Nazar, and Alex Vlasic are starting to establish themselves as leaders, there should be little concern about whether Kane will stunt their growth. If anything, it’s the opposite. Three Stanley Cups just entered the locker room, and he’s going to teach them how to win a few more.
Expectations Are Through the Roof
Shortly after the news broke, hot takes were flying. Jordan Schmaltz, a former first-round pick turned media pundit, gained some traction for his take. Give him credit for some solid reasoning, but his take hinges on one key factor: 84 games. Patrick Kane hasn’t played a full season since the 2020-21 season. He hasn’t played a full, non-shortened season since 2017-18. Since then, Kane has dealt with nagging injuries for a long time, and it has only become more evident over the past few seasons.
Kane’s realistic 2026-27 season looks like this: around 65 games played, 20 goals, and 40 assists. There’s wiggle room above and below, but expect him to sit around those numbers. Those totals on last year’s Blackhawks would have put him second in total points, second in assists, and third in goals.
Playing with some of the most impressive young talent in the sport, feeding off of Bowen Byram on the power play, and taking on an elevated role should get him right under a point-per-game pace. It’s nothing stunning, and it probably is not worth $8 million per year, but it’s what the team needs.
The NHL’s increase to an 84-game schedule gives him a better chance to raise his totals. Even so, playing a full season at above a point-per-game pace would be the first time he has done so since 2016-17, exactly 10 seasons ago and in the prime of his career. For Kane to do what Schmaltz predicts, he needs to turn back the clock at an unprecedented level. A 37-year-old Kane simply is not built to do this, but that’s okay.
Kane Is Showtime, Not Superman
Kane wants to win, so what does he need for the Blackhawks to do so? Consistency is key. The power play was poor last year, and he can help there in particular. The team struggled to move in transition and get set up in the zone. Even at his age, he excels at it. Everything the Blackhawks struggled with on offense, Kane can be there to help with. They don’t need him to be Superman; they just need him to be himself. They just need a veteran who injects skill into the top-six and can teach the next generation what it means to be a Blackhawk.
To return to a previous point, why did the Blackhawks sign Patrick Kane? To mobilize Blackhawks fans, mentor the next generation, and produce at a better-than-average clip. He can be a player the team looks to in any offensive scenario. 5-0n-5, the power play, overtime, and, of course, the shootout. At the very least, he should give Blackhawks fans some highlights to enjoy.
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