Blackhawks would do well to name Patrick Kane captain next season

The departure of Nick Foligno this past season left a hole in the Chicago Blackhawks lineup. Foligno’s exit vacated the team captaincy.

While it seems like a fait accompli that Connor Bedard will be the team’s next captain, the return of Patrick Kane opens up an interesting discussion.

Should the Blackhawks name Kane their captain?

Doing so wouldn’t be the craziest idea in the world. Kane signed a two-year deal on Thursday. Likely, the contract will be the 37-year-old’s final NHL deal. If the plan is to see him ride off into the sunset as a member of the Blackhawks, the signing works out perfectly.

So, why not name Kane the captain for these next two seasons? The move would give Bedard a couple of more seasons to gain his foothold as a true NHL superstar. There’s no question that the Blackhawks are his team. But he might not be quite ready for the responsibility of carrying the team on his back.

That’s why bringing back Kane makes a ton of sense. While Kane still offers a solid offensive upside, his experience and championship pedigree will be a major asset for the club moving forward.

Kane to take on mentorship role with Blackhawks

Connor Bedard isn’t the only rising star on Chicago’s roster. Several young players will be looking to earn their stripes as bona fide NHL stars.

Even a more seasoned player like Bowen Byram could use some pointers from someone who’s won three Stanley Cups. After all, it’s easy to forget that Byram is still only 25 years old.

That’s why Kane could take on a notable mentorship role. The once and future Blackhawks great has an opportunity to leave his fingerprints all over the team. By the time his playing days are over, this next generation of Blackhawks players will follow in his footsteps.

Yes, Chicago overpaid for Kane. The $8 million AAV is a little steep considering his overall production and playing time.

But beyond the nostalgia factor that came with the signing, the team has an opportunity to give Kane a role he deserved during the Blackhawks' heyday in the mid-2010s. Kane had to take a backseat to Jonathan Toews in the team’s pecking order.

But with Toews retired, Kane now has a chance to close out this chapter of Blackhawks history as the team’s captain.

Could there be a more fitting ending to this story? Only another Stanley Cup could make Kane’s return to Chicago something truly unforgettable.

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