Alex DeBrincat got a chance to reunite with Patrick Kane and play another stint in Detroit with the Red Wings. But the time has now come for them to part ways, as he said goodbye to his long-time teammate after Kane agreed to a new two-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks. 

DeBrincat and Kane spent many seasons together as Blackhawks teammates before they reunited in Detroit in the 2023-24 season. However, the duo's bonding goes back to Chicago.

"Thank you 88," wrote DeBrincat, posting a picture with Kane on his Instagram story.

His tribute on Instagram showed the bond the two shared. Chicago drafted DeBrincat as the 39th overall pick in 2016, and he entered the league as a rookie that next year. Kane, the 2007 draft pick by the Blackhawks, who was already an experienced player by then, helped mentor DeBrincat early in his career.

Chicago later traded DeBrincat to Ottawa in 2022.

“It's kind of crushing at first when you hear the news. Not only did I feel like we had some great chemistry on the ice, but he was one of my best friends and closest teammates off the ice as well," Kane shared back then about losing his teammate.

He eventually joined Detroit in 2024, reuniting with Kane, who was traded by the Blackhawks the next season.

Their bonding has moved outside of the rink as well. Even their children became close, as they are often seen together at team events. So when Kane's move back to Chicago was confirmed, DeBrincat went on to pay tribute to his friend immediately.

DeBrincat still has one season left on his contract with the Red Wings. Whether they reunite or not remains uncertain, but the tribute shows how much the relationship still means to him.

The contract that got back Kane 

Kane's new deal with Chicago carries an $8 million salary-cap hit each season. The two-year contract totals $16 million. It also includes a full no-movement clause, which gives Kane control over his future with the team.

According to NHL.com, Kane earned between $2.75 million and $4 million during each of his three seasons in Detroit. That’s where he scored 163 points in 189 games, including 57 points last season alone.

Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson explained the decision in a statement, saying Kane had "captivated the city of Chicago with his dazzling skill" across his first 16 seasons. Davidson previously traded Kane in 2023 to give the team's younger members more room to grow.

Connor Bedard's shoulder surgery is what pushed the Blackhawks to bring Kane back before the deal came together.

Jonathan Toews' retirement earlier this summer may have made the decision easier. It removed the challenge of getting back two franchise cornerstones at the same time.

Chicago now heads into the next season with a veteran player supporting its young core. The Blackhawks have missed the postseason every year since Kane's left in 2023, so expectations this time remain high.

What do you think of DeBrincat's tribute to Kane? Let us know in the comments below

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Written by

Aadhya Nalla

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar