Kane returns to Blackhawks, signs 2-year, $16 million contract

Showtime is back in Chicago.

Patrick Kane signed a two-year, $16 million contract to return to the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday. It has an annual value of $8 million, and includes a full no-move clause.

The 37-year-old forward, who had 57 points (16 goals, 41 assists) in 67 games with the Detroit Red Wings last season, played the first 16 of his 19 NHL seasons with the Blackhawks, and won the Stanley Cup three times with Chicago, in 2010, 2013 and 2015.

Kane, who has spent the past three seasons with the Red Wings, has 1,400 points (508 goals, 892 assists) in 1,369 regular-season games for the Red Wings, New York Rangers and Blackhawks, who selected him with the No. 1 pick in the 2007 NHL Draft. 

He ranks third in Chicago history in goals (446) behind Hockey Hall of Famers Bobby Hull (604) and Stan Mikita (541), and second in assists (779) and points (1,225). Mikita had 926 assists and 1,467 points. Kane is third on Chicago's all-time list with 1,161 games played, behind Mikita (1,396) and Hall of Famer Duncan Keith (1,192).

Kane scored his 500th NHL goal on Jan. 8, broke Mike Modano's record for points by an United States-born player when he scored his 1,375th on Jan. 29, and reached 1,400 points on April 13. 

He has 138 points (53 goals, 85 assists) in 143 Stanley Cup Playoff games. He won Art Ross Trophy as scoring champion, the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP and the Ted Lindsay Award as MVP chosen by the NHL Players' Association in 2015-16. He also won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 2007-08 and the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoffs MVP in 2013.

Kane was named one the 100 Greatest Players in NHL history during the League's Centennial celebration in 2017. 

"I still think I have the ability to elevate my game at the most important times," he said after last season ended. "I've always been able to do that throughout my career, and I still think that's something that lives within me."

Chicago opens the season at the Vegas Golden Knights on Sept. 29 (10:30 p.m. ET) as part of a season-opening triple header on ESPN.

On Monday, two days after signing a five-year, $75 million contract with Chicago, center Connor Bedard said Kane returning to the Blackhawks would be great for him and the entire organization, particularly regarding the atmosphere for Chicago's home opener against the St. Louis Blues on Oct. 6.

"I can't imagine his first game back at the (United Center with the Blackhawks), the reaction he'd get and how much juice that would bring to not only our team but our fans, as well," said Bedard, who is expected to be out until November because of left shoulder surgery. "That would be incredible to play with him and learn from him.

"You talk about the legacy aspect of it, but just as a team, he would make us a way better team. He's still an amazing player. ... He still has some good gas left in him. I think he has 2-3 years left in him."

Kane's first game against the Red Wings this season will be at Little Caesars Arena on Oct. 29.

Last week, Blackhawks ambassador and former Chicago defenseman Chris Chelios gave 104.3 The Score in Chicago his view of what Kane means to the team and the city.

"You saw the reception (Kane) got a couple of years ago during the jersey retirement," Chelios said. "He still belongs in Chicago."

NHL.com staff writer Tracey Myers contributed to this report