Patrick Kane Returns To Chicago With The Detroit Red Wings

CHICAGO: Patrick Kane appears rejuvenated in the intervening time in his first season with the Detroit Red Wings.

Perfect timing for his long-awaited return to his first NHL residence.

Kane leads the Red Wings into Chicago on Sunday for his first recreation in opposition to the Blackhawks since he was traded to the New York Rangers a 12 months in the past. The 35-year-old winger has 4 targets and 6 assists in a seven-game factors streak since getting back from a lower-body damage.

Kane’s Chicago homecoming coincides with the Blackhawks retiring Hall of Fame defenseman Chris Chelios’ No. 7 jersey in a pregame ceremony earlier than the matchup with the Red Wings. Chelios additionally hung out with the Red Wings throughout his enjoying profession.

“When you just fly back into the city, driving back downtown, kind of see the skyline and everything like that, it hits home a little bit more,” Kane informed reporters on Sunday morning. “But I’m sure it’ll probably all come back to me a little bit tonight, especially with everything going on, with, you know, the Chelios jersey retirement and me being my first game back.

“Just kind of take it all in, enjoy it, and just enjoy the whole night.”

Kane turned a free agent after ending final season with the Rangers. He had hip resurfacing surgical procedure in June and labored his means into form earlier than signing with Detroit in November. He has 11 targets and 15 assists in 26 video games with the Red Wings.

Kane had a right away affect after he was chosen by Chicago with the No. 1 decide within the 2007 draft. He gained the Calder Trophy for NHL rookie of the 12 months after he had 21 targets and 51 assists through the 2007-08 season.

It was solely the start.

The rise of Kane, Jonathan Toews and defenseman Duncan Keith helped the Blackhawks put collectively the perfect stretch in franchise historical past, profitable the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013 and 2015. Chicago additionally made it to the Western Conference Final in 2014, shedding to the Los Angeles Kings in a seven-game collection.

“I think when you go through it, you don’t realize how lucky and appreciative you can be,” Kane mentioned. “But, man, I mean we had some players on that team and, you know, I think the great thing about that team is we were really close as a group, but there was a lot of inner competition, too.”

The Blackhawks have struggled of late, and Kane waived a no-movement clause in his contract to facilitate the commerce with New York final 12 months.

“It was a great run,” Kane mentioned. “I think we were kind of at the point in time when it was, I think for the organization and myself, it was probably good to start fresh and just enjoy something different, right?

“It was exciting for me to get a chance to play in New York last year and kind of appreciate that experience and do something different,” he continued, “and being in Detroit and going through it a second time, it feels a little bit more comfortable.”

___

AP Hockey Writer Larry Lage in Detroit contributed to this report.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)