Patrick Kane is back in Chicago, and the Tkachuk brothers are already picturing the possibilities.
Matthew and Brady Tkachuk both voiced their excitement over Kane’s return to the Blackhawks, with Matthew especially focused on what the veteran winger could do next to Connor Bedard. For him, it’s not just about the move itself - it’s about seeing Kane back in the kind of role that once made Chicago must-watch hockey.
“Kane back to Chicago… I think when he’s there, and they’re on the up like they are, some of the best eras in hockey are when he’s been cooking with the Hawks, so I just think that’s so good,” Matthew said. “I’m so excited as a fan that used to watch him play nightly for them. I’m really excited to watch him again this year.”
Matthew also drew a direct line to one of Kane’s most dangerous previous partnerships, saying the Bedard fit could have the same kind of spark.
“It’s going to be like Kane and Panarin.”
Brady was just as upbeat about the reunion, framing it as a major moment for the franchise.
“Showtime back in Chicago, like, what’s better than that? I feel like that’s going to be the next dynamic duo for the next little bit.”
Kane’s return comes on a two-year, $16 million contract after he spent the last three seasons with the New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings. The three-time Stanley Cup champion is expected to bring a major presence alongside Bedard and Chicago’s young core as the Blackhawks continue their rebuild.
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The organization is expecting a full recovery, which offers some reassurance, but the immediate challenge is clear: Chicago has to find a way to hold the line until its franchise star is ready to go again. Bedards absence reshapes the early months of the season and puts extra pressure on the players around him to keep the Blackhawks in range until he can rejoin the lineup. [Read more 🡒]
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For the Blackhawks, it is the kind of transaction worth watching from a distance, especially as a reminder of how much value there is in identifying role players early and getting ahead of the next contract question. The cap hit on Novals deal does not even begin until the 2027-28 season, which is the sort of long-view planning more teams are trying to build into their depth charts, and it leaves plenty of time for Chicago to keep tracking the players who might eventually fit that mold. [Read more 🡒]