Elliotte Friedman teases Patrick Kane return to Blackhawks

It was a perfect storybook ending for Patrick Kane in his return to United Center last night, as the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Blackhawks thanks to Kane's overtime winner that was ironically set up by his ex-Blackhawks teammate Alex DeBrincat. 

During the 1st period, Kane received a lengthy standing ovation following a touching video tribute on the scoreboard, and the mostly pro-Chicago crowd made no bones about the fact that they still love their former franchise icon despite the fact that he now plays for a once-bitter rival. 

After the game, NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman opined that Kane could decide to return to the Blackhawks next season because of the video tribute - based on literally no evidence. 

Oh, Elliotte.

There have been no shortage of players who have starred in one location for many years who have enjoyed an incredible and heartfelt tribute to heir previous accomplishments upon their return to said location, but it doesn't mean they're going to come back just because of the "feels". 

P.K. Subban was in tears during the standing ovation and video tribute he received from the Montreal Canadiens after he returned with the Nashville Predators in 2016-17; he didn't come back to the Habs. Joe Pavelski received an incredible video tribute and ovation from the San Jose Sharks when he returned with the Dallas Stars in 2019-20; he didn't return to the Sharks.

How about any other number of amazing video tributes? David Backes and Alex Pietrangelo with the Blues when they returned to St. Louis with their respective new teams. Jarome Iginla with the Flames when he returned with Boston. 

Sorry, but that ship has sailed. Kane likely will return at some point to the Blackhawks to take a role with the organization, and could even ink a one-day contract so that he could officially retire a member of the team. But as far as coming back to play with Chicago, that ain't happening. 

Look for the Red Wings, with whom Kane has found a new home and instant chemistry, to extend Kane at some point during this season or during the summer. The Blackhawks are going nowhere any time soon, even with young phenom Connor Bedard, and Kane isn't going to return to a bad team out of pity.

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