It's now been confirmed for NHL free agent star forward Patrick Kane

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Ryan Hall
June 15, 2024 (1:33)

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After several weeks of speculation, it appears that pending unrestricted free agent Patrick Kane will not return to the Blackhawks or the Red Wings.

Some pundits across the NHL felt that there was a high probability that Kane would return to the Red Wings next season but according to general manager Steve Yzerman that seems to be unlikely.

«Patrick was great, wasn't he?» Yzerman said during his end-of-season press conference Friday. «He's like a wizard with the puck -- his skill, his sense, his calmness in high-pressure situations and in the danger areas.

«He was great for our team, and I think he brought a lot of what I guess they call swag.»

General manager Kyle Davidson of the Blackhawks also explained the team's position regarding Kane and it's clear the team has no desire to bring him back as they have turned the page on his era while continuing to build the Connor Bedard era.

He explained to Scott powers of the athletic on what he sees.
https://x.com/TheHockeyNews/status/1738394482742104551

«I think we made some really tough decisions on some longstanding players,» Davidson said, per Scott Powers of The Athletic. I don't foresee us going back on that.»

With both teams out of the picture, it's likely that Kane will enter the new cycle once again as he was near the month of February as many teams were speculated on who would sign him including the Boston Bruins, the Toronto Maple Leafs and even a return to the New York Rangers.

Kane had a remarkable season considering he had evasive hip resurfacing surgery earlier last summer. Players who have had this surgery mainly never play again but Kane seems to have defied the odds and looked better than ever as he played 50 games, with 20 goals and had 47 points.

At 35 years old, it's likely Kane will look towards a cup contender as he is trying to chase another Stanley Cup before he retires. This narrows the teams down considerably but there will be teams who will try to sign him. He had completed a one year $2.75 million contract with the Red Wings.

Source: NHL.com - Patrick Kane unlikely to return to Red Wings next season

Source: Sportsnet - Blackhawks not thinking about reunion with Patrick Kane