Patrick Kane's reunion with the Chicago Blackhawks incited plenty of nostalgia among the franchise's fanbase, but the 37-year-old insists he didn't sign with his old club just for a trip down memory lane.
"Obviously the story is great, coming back to Chicago and being a Blackhawk again," Kane said, according to WGN's Charlie Roumeliotis. "But most importantly, it was about coming to a team where I think I can fit in well, a team that's on the rise, a team that's looking to make some big steps forward and trying to make the playoffs.
"All that other stuff, all that is great, but ... that's not the story. It's to come back, help this team win, help this team get in the playoffs. It's great to be a Blackhawk again. I'm familiar with the city, the facilities, and situation, but I want to come back and make a difference and help the team win. It's not like I'm coming back home to ride off into the sunset."
Kane inked a two-year, $16-million contract with Chicago on Thursday. He was traded by the franchise in 2023 after a 16-year run together that included three Stanley Cups, a Conn Smythe, a Hart Trophy, an Art Ross, and a Calder Trophy.
The NHL's all-time American-born leading scorer spent the past three seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, failing to make the playoffs each year. The Blackhawks have finished 31st in the NHL standings in three consecutive campaigns.
General manager Kyle Davidson believes adding Kane to the Blackhawks' young core can help the team take a much-needed step forward.
"When Patrick departed a couple years ago, we were in a totally different spot as a franchise," Davidson said. "We were much more at the outset of this whole project. Now that we've got some of these draft picks that have entered and established themselves in the NHL, obviously continue to grow in the NHL, I felt from an organizational standpoint and roster standpoint that the time was right with what he provides."
Kane, who notched 57 points in 67 games last season, is expected to play in Chicago's top six, potentially on a line with star center Connor Bedard.
