Ex-Blackhawks Star Kane Signs With Detroit Red Wings

CHICAGO — Patrick Kane, who helped lead the Chicago Blackhawks to three Stanley Cup championships during his 16-year stay in Chicago has found a new home with a one-time bitter rival.

Kane signed with the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night, the team announced, after choosing the Wings over a small group of teams. Kane has not played since undergoing hip resurfacing surgery that hampered him during his brief stint with the New York Rangers last season.

Kane, 35, is a nine-time All-Star who made a name for himself with the Blackhawks along with Jonathan Toews before the team began a rebuilding process in which they moved away from some of the more veteran players. Kane was traded to the Rangers but did not make as big of an impact as was expected.

Kane agreed to a one-year, $2.75 million deal with Detroit, the team said in announcing the contract. The timing of when Kane will take the ice for the Wings has yet to be determined, but reports indicated that he would need time to acclimate himself to the team's systems, which could take the rest of this week.

Kane is not expected be in uniform when Detroit faces Kane's former team on Thursday night, according to reports.

"This has been an emotional time for me and my family, but I feel this decision puts me in the best spot to immediately win another Stanley Cup,” Kane said in a statement issued through the Hawks last year after being traded. “This isn’t about me leaving the Blackhawks, but this is an opportunity for me — the Blackhawks did everything they could to put me in a great position and I will forever be grateful."

Kane underwent surgery six months ago to repair his hip and has since met with a group of teams, looking to continue his NHL career. ESPN reported that Kane, a Buffalo native, had met with his hometown Sabres, the Florida Panthers, Boston Bruins, and Dallas Stars.

However, Kane appeared to find the best fit with the Detroit Red Wings, who the Blackhawks defeated in the Western Conference Finals in 2013 en route to their second of three Stanley Cup titles. The Hawks erased a 3-1 series deficit in that series against Detroit and advanced to the Stanley Cup final with a dramatic goal in Game 7.

ESPN reported that Kane, who has 1,237 points (451 goals) in 1,180 career games, has told teams that he understood he needed “to earn my spot” on a roster and that he didn’t expect to play on a team’s top line.

Kane's 1,180 career games ranks fourth among active players while his 451 career goals ranks sixth among active players.