Patrick Kane Returns Home To Usher The Young Blackhawks Into Contention

An intimidating gauntlet of Tigers and Pirates starting pitching didn’t phase the Cubs as much as I expected. They forced Jack Flaherty out of the game after 4 innings, scored 6 runs in a marathon 1st inning against Framber Valdez, and won 11-0 in the game started by Paul Skenes. Besides one real blip, the lineup is still clicking. Seiya Suzuki had 3 HR and 10 RBI this week, Pete Crow-Armstrong had a 4-for-5 game and a game where he was on base 5 times, and Pedro Ramirez hit 7-for-18 (.388). Unfortunately, two of their own starting pitchers reduced them to a 3-3 week. Colin Rea and Jameson Taillon combined to allow 7 HR in their 3 starts while the other starters combined to allow 1 ER in their 3 starts.

A 5-4 start to the 2nd half sounds worse than it feels. Rea and Taillon started all 4 of those losses and shouldn’t be in the rotation for the September/October playoff chase. With one week remaining until the trade deadline, I’m confident this team is good. They have the best defense in baseball, are Top 5 in MLB in runs scored, and have somehow kept their heads up while most of the team drops like flies. Pitching reinforcements will be on their way. Anyone with a pulse will help, but it would still be surprising if Jed Hoyer went after a big fish target. A reenergized pitching staff combined with the best position player group in baseball is a legitimate contender. Let’s not forget that they’re 59-46 despite their injury luck.

Training camp is underway! The first preseason game is on August 15th.

Patrick Kane signed a 2-year, $16M contract ($8M cap hit) to return to Chicago. He brings 19 years of NHL experience, 1,400 points, 508 goals, 3 rings, and a whole lifetime of memories in a Blackhawks sweater. When his blades hit the United Center ice again, fans will immediately picture his eerie coast-to-coast celebration with his hands raised high to win the 2010 Stanley Cup, his double overtime winner in the 2013 Conference Final, and his dagger one-timer in the 2015 Stanley Cup Final. The Hawks are rolling out the red carpet for someone who gave his all for the franchise, and the fans will too.

As Kane said, his free agency decision was a hockey decision. He immediately steps into a Top 6 role and the first power play unit. Bedard, Frondell, Kantserov, Nazar, and others have their official vet to join forces with, and they couldn’t have asked for a better one. Contrary to popular belief, Kane fits the mold of the new-look Blackhawks. Kyle Davidson values skating abilities, motor, and toughness. Kane ranked in the 60th percentile in 2025-2026 for Speed Bursts Over 20 mph, so he hasn’t lost too much of a step. He’s more competitive than anyone else in the game and brings a calloused playoff edge to the group. This isn’t a signing to sell more tickets; Kane will help this team win.

Caleb Wilson was named to the All-Summer League First Team!

Patrick Kane will be a point-per-game player this season.

37-year olds entering their 20th professional season aren’t typically considered elite free agent acquisitions. Patrick Kane is the exception.

He isn’t the up and coming superstar the Hawks were (and possibly still are) hoping to pair with Connor Bedard on a long-term basis, but he’s a proficient scorer with a ton of production and competitiveness left in the tank. He finished last season strong and is much healthier than when he left Chicago in 2023.

In his career, he has 1,400 points in 1,369 games and was a point-per-game player in 11 of his 15.5 seasons in Chicago. Even though he’s in the tail end of his career, he’ll excel on the power play alongside Bedard, Frondell, or possibly Kantserov. His hockey IQ will match perfectly with the speed and creativity of his potential linemates at even strength. Plus, he’ll have a bigger scoring burden on his shoulders when Bedard starts the year on the bench. Patrick Kane’s goal scoring days are far from over.