Does Patrick Kane's Recent $5M Purchase Signal a Return to Chicago?

Patrick Kane's trade to the New York Rangers was the biggest thing since sliced bread. The 3x Stanley Cup champion was in limbo for a while as the Blackhawks facilitated a trade over months and months.

During those proceedings, Patrick Kane purchased a $5 million estate in Lake Forest, Illinois - a lakeside suburb north of metropolitan Chicago. Kane bought the home in September, when he must have known a trade was possible, as the Blackhawks had already started selling players to that point.


Could this mean that the 16-year Blackhawks veteran ends up back in Chicago at some point in the future?


It definitely doesn't hurt the possibility. However, a return to Chicago is unlikely - at least in the short-term. There is virtually zero fit hockey-wise, as the Hawks are in a full-fledged rebuild, and Kane is on the back-nine of his career and just wants to compete.

Chicago already ruled out a contract extension this summer, so Kane probably wouldn't return in 2023-24 if at all. The most likely scenario is the 34-year old signs a couple of one-or-two-year deals and signs an honorary contract with Chicago in 4-5 years to return a Hawk.

If anything, Kane's $5 million purchase was the reason he didn't want to leave, rather than a symbol of his imminent return.