While the Patrick Kane-Chicago Blackhawks reunion keeps being THE rumor of this offseason, the Blackhawks center Connor Bedard would much rather have it as reality.

“I don't know what I can say to persuade his decision, but we'd all be so excited to have a player like that, but also a guy like that,” he said, according to the Blackhawks beat reporter Scott Powers of the Athletic. “That would be incredible to get to play with him and learn from him."

The rumor seemed to have started when Hall of Famer Chris Chelios recently told 670 The Score in Chicago that Kane has narrowed his shortlist between the Blackhawks and the Buffalo Sabres for the last stage of his career. Bedard is one of those who “hopes” that it's not just a rumor.

After a 16-season tenure and 3 Stanley Cup victories, Kane was traded to the New York Rangers in 2023 shortly before Bedard’s arrival. The two overall No.1 picks of Blackhawks history didn’t get to share the ice, but Bedard would very much like it to.

"You talk about the legacy aspect of it, but as a team, it would make us a way better team. He's still an amazing player," the rising star added. "I don't know if this is the best pitch, but hopefully he comes back, and we can play together, for sure."

But even if the rumors manifest in reality and Kane does come back, Bedard wouldn’t be able to hit the ice with him just yet.

Connor Bedard Has Injury Complication to Manage

The center went through a successful left shoulder surgery on July 8 after sustaining it on July 2, during an on-ice training session. Although the official recovery timeline is approximately 4 months, Bedard is adamant about making a quick return.

"We'll see," he said, as per ESPN journalist Greg Wyshynski. "Whether that's quicker than four months ... I mean there's obviously that timeline right now, but I'm just going to do everything I can day-to-day to try to get back as quick as possible.”

A quicker return would allow him to play at the start of the 2026-27 season and participate in the training camp. If not, an early to mid-November return would be.

But even so, he’ll have the rest of the season to play with Kane, should the NHL icon choose to come back.

Do you think he will? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Deblina Roy