Don't be shocked by Patrick Kane's contract because the money doesn't matter

On February 28, 2023, the Chicago Blackhawks dynasty was officially put to rest. That was the day the Blackhawks traded Patrick Kane to the New York Rangers. Chicago was facing a long rebuild, and wasting the twilight years of their franchise cornerstone no longer made sense. As his contract was coming to an end, they wanted to get some return to help build the future.

Since then, Kane has signed three one-year deals with the Detroit Red Wings, remaining valuable on the power play and adding necessary offense to a team desperately trying to make the playoffs. Detroit never made it over the hump, and there are big changes happening there. 

Kane reportedly wasn’t even considering a return to Detroit this offseason. His decision came down to two teams: a return to the Blackhawks or a return to Buffalo, where he grew up and became a star. 

Kane chose to go “home,” as in his hockey home for more than a decade. 

On Thursday, the Chicago Blackhawks announced a two-year deal with Kane. The signing itself wasn’t shocking, but the price tag was. 

Kane is coming into next season with the same average annual value as Jack Hughes, Thomas Chabot, and Sam Bennett. Many believe that is what should be constituted as a clear “overpay.” 

Patrick Kane is worth the money from a pure business sense

On paper, paying for a 37, soon to be 38-year-old Patrick Kane comes with risk. Paying him $8 million comes with even more risk. He scored just 16 goals last season. He isn’t turning the Blackhawks into a playoff contender, especially with Connor Bedard missing the beginning of next season. 

And that’s exactly why Kane is worth $8 million. At the end of the day, the NHL is still a business. They need to make money. They need to sell tickets, and the teams need to sell jerseys, beer, hot dogs, key chains, t-shirts, and a million other things. The Blackhawks need to be out in the community and get people excited that they are there. 

No offense to him, but Tyler Bertuzzi doesn’t have the star power of Patrick Kane. He’s a great player, but Kane is a star. He sells tickets. He sells jerseys. If he’s selling tickets and jerseys, people are going to pay for hot dogs. And sodas and french fries and everything else. 

With a hot dog costing around $7.50 at the United Center, we’re not sure if Kane’s arrival will sell 1 million hot dogs, but when you look at the entire picture, it’s a money making opportunity.

On top of everything, the Blackhawks are not coming close to the salary cap over the next two seasons. They have more than $5 million this season to spend with a full roster, and they have more than $40 million to spend next offseason. So, even if the Blackhawks surprisingly play well this season and show growth, they have room to grow this roster. 

Kane will easily make the Blackhawks $8 million this season. He is the one reason they have to be excited on opening night with Bedard injured. He’s the guy fans come out to see. They want to feel that feeling they felt when he lifted the Stanley Cup for the first time in 2010. He reminds everyone of how this was a dynasty. Kane is an $8 million player in marketing opportunities alone. What he does on the ice is just extra. 

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