Patrick Kane is adjusting to his
new teammates and coaches in his return to the Blackhawks
[September 18, 2026]
By JAY COHEN
CHICAGO (AP) — Once again, Patrick Kane took the ice for the start
of training camp with the Chicago Blackhawks. That used to be his
regular routine, but it was a different experience for him this time
around.
Kane is getting used to his old surroundings as he begins his 20th
NHL season in the same place where he started his career. The
veteran forward signed a $16 million, two-year contract with Chicago
in free agency.
“A lot of it is so familiar in a lot of ways, and then you get out
there on the ice and you look at all the players out there and
everyone’s completely different, right?” a chuckling Kane said
Thursday. “So different coaches, different players. So different in
that way, but yeah, so exciting.”
Chicago is hoping the offseason additions of Kane and defenseman Bo
Byram — alongside the growth of its young core — will help lift the
team into contention in the rugged Western Conference. The
Blackhawks went 29-39-14 last year, an 11-point improvement from the
previous season and still last in Central Division.
“We wouldn’t make some of the transactions we made if we didn’t
believe there was a step to be had here,” general manager Kyle
Davidson said. “Now, there’s a lot that goes into it. ... It’s all
about showing up and expecting something every night and we should
expect to arrive and win. And so, where that ends up at the end of
the year, we’ll see.”
Going to the postseason with Chicago used to be an annual occurrence
for Kane, who turns 38 in November. He skated in playoff games with
the Blackhawks for nine straight years beginning in 2009, winning
the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013 and 2015.
Kane, who won the 2016 Hart Trophy as NHL MVP, isn’t the same player
he was during those previous playoff runs. But he had 16 goals and
41 assists in 67 games with Detroit last season. He has at least 50
points in 18 of his 19 seasons.
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Chicago Blackhawks' Patrick Kane smiles during an NHL hockey game on
Jan. 19, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)
“He’s still a great player,” Chicago goaltender
Spencer Knight said. “You can tell the skill he has, his awareness
on the ice with the puck and without the puck, so I think that’s
something that’s going to really help us. ... I think he’s going to
bring a lot of skill and talent out of a lot of other players, which
is what I think will be so good for us.”
Kane skated on a line with Frank Nazar, 22, and rookie Roman
Kantserov on the first day of camp. Kantserov turns 22 on Sunday.
The Blackhawks open the season on Sept. 29 at Vegas, so coach Jeff
Blashill doesn't have much time to tinker with his lines.
“Patrick is a super high IQ hockey player, and a lot of give-and-go
to his game,” Blashill said. “Both Frankie and Roman can play some
of that give-and-go game with him; they think it a little bit the
same way. Historically, when Patrick has had a center that can
create lanes with his speed, it has helped him. Frankie, with his
speed through the middle, will open up some different passing lanes,
as well."
Blackhawks captain Connor Bedard is expected to miss the start of
the season as he continues his recovery from left shoulder surgery.
He could play alongside Kane on the team's top line when he returns.
Kane has been getting to know all the team's young players. He likes
Nazar's competitiveness and he said Kantserov is very smooth.
“I thought, you know, as a line today, we got more and more
chemistry as the day went on and things got better and better,” Kane
said. “So excited to keep building with them.”
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