- Connor Bedard says Patrick Kane returning to Chicago “would be incredible”
- Kane, an unrestricted free agent, is reportedly down to the Blackhawks and his hometown Sabres
- Read below for Bedard’s full recruiting pitch and what a Kane reunion would mean
Connor Bedard isn’t hiding what he wants this offseason.
The Blackhawks star made his pitch for Patrick Kane on Monday, two days after signing his own five-year, $75 million extension. Bedard was asked about the idea of the franchise icon coming back to Chicago. “I can’t imagine his first game back at the (United Center), the reaction he’d get and how much juice that would bring to not only our team but our fans, as well,” Bedard said. “That would be incredible to play with him and learn from him.”
Blackhawks writer Scott Powers of The Athletic posted the full answer from the scrum:
Bedard kept going, and even admitted he wasn’t sure the sales job would land. “I don’t know if this is the best pitch, but hopefully he comes back and we can play together,” he said. Kane, in his view, “would make us a way better team.”
Our own timeline caught Bedard already picturing the scene at the UC:
Kane is still on the market after three seasons in Detroit. The 37-year-old is the highest-scoring American-born player in NHL history with 1,400 points, and he won all three of his Stanley Cups in Chicago in 2010, 2013 and 2015.
A reunion isn’t far-fetched either. Blackhawks ambassador Chris Chelios said last week that Kane’s choice is down to two teams, Chicago and his hometown Buffalo Sabres.
For Bedard, the recruiting comes right after locking in his own future. Chicago handed him a $15 million cap hit that runs through 2031:
Bedard won’t be back on the ice until around November as he recovers from shoulder surgery. He’d clearly love to have Kane waiting for him when he gets there.
