Analyst: Blackhawks were right not to reunite with Patrick Kane
There was speculation that the future Hall of Famer could return to his former home, but those hopes were dashed.
HockeyFeed
The Detroit Red Wings and forward Patrick Kane both took considerable risks when they agreed to a one-year contract in late November. Kane had undergone hip resurfacing surgery during the offseason, raising doubts about his ability to replicate the magic that arguably made him the greatest American-born player in NHL history.
However, those doubts were quickly put to rest when Kane stepped onto the ice with his new team. By the end of the season, his hip gave him no trouble, and he turned back the clock by scoring at nearly a point-per-game pace. He's since agreed to return to the Red Wings, signing a one-year, incentive-laden contract and revealing that his "heart was set" on running it back in Detroit.
One potential scenario proposed by both fans and pundits was a return to the Blackhawks to play with young forward Connor Bedard, who, like Kane in 2008, won the Calder Trophy as the NHL's best rookie. And the fact that this didn't come to fruition is a good thing in the mind of Barstool Sports personality Dan Katz, better known as Barstool Big Cat.
Essentially, he believes that it's Bedard's team now, and the franchise must continue looking to the future rather than the past.
"I think it's probably a good thing that Patrick Kane is not back with the Blackhawks because it's Bedard's team now," Big Cat said. "I like what they're doing by starting a lot of guys on one-year deals—some seasoned veterans who have won Stanley Cups and have been in tough battles. They can help mentor the young core without committing to long-term contracts."
The Blackhawks were among the busier teams in free agency, bringing in a haul of new faces that include Tyler Bertuzzi, Alec Martinez, Laurent Brossoit, Pat Maroon, Craig Smith and re-acquiring Teuvo Teräväinen.
"Bringing in these experienced players, who may not be household names, will help the team compete and possibly make a playoff run without sacrificing their future. It allows them to reset again next year," Big Cat added.
Did the Blackhawks do the right thing by not showing interest in a reunion with Kane?
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