Patrick Kane's three-year run with the Detroit Red Wings is officially in the books. The 37-year-old forward is heading back to the Chicago Blackhawks on a two-year deal, ending a stint in Detroit in which he scored 57 goals and 106 assists. The return reunites Kane with the club that drafted him and where he captured three Stanley Cups, and it sets up a new chapter for both franchises before the 2026-27 season.
According to Sportsnet, Kane agreed to a two-year, $16 million contract with the Blackhawks, an $8 million average annual value. Chicago quickly splashed the news on its X account, a post that was picked up and amplified in coverage by theScore.
Detroit chapter closes
Kane hit unrestricted free agency after three seasons in Detroit, a productive but relatively short stay. Across 189 games with the Red Wings he totaled 57 goals and 106 assists, according to season-by-season numbers compiled by StatMuse. The move back to Chicago was first flagged in Detroit coverage, including reporting by The Detroit News.
Chicago reunion and career milestones
Kane spent the first 16 seasons of his NHL career in Chicago, where he was a central figure in the Blackhawks' three Stanley Cup runs and picked up major individual awards along the way. He added another line to his resume this season, becoming the NHL's highest-scoring U.S.-born player when he reached his 1,375th career point, per NHL.com.
What it means for the teams
For Chicago, Kane returns as a veteran playmaker with a proven scoring touch, now slotted alongside a young core led by Connor Bedard. Bedard had already said a Kane reunion "would be incredible," a comment noted in coverage by theScore.
For Detroit, the move closes a brief but productive chapter and opens up more top-six minutes for younger forwards as the Red Wings continue their rebuild.
Kane's contract runs through the 2027-28 season and carries an $8 million average annual value. With training camps still months away, both clubs will now pivot to integrating the signing into their roster plans for the year ahead.
