Buffalo Sabres

Chelios: Patrick Kane’s Decision Down to Two Teams, Including Surprise

Patrick Kane is deciding between two teams in free agency: does he go back to the Blackhawks or join the Sabres?

by
NHL Trade Talk
July 15, 2026

Patrick Kane’s free agency is reportedly down to two teams: the Chicago Blackhawks and Buffalo Sabers. Blackhawks legend Chris Chelios told 104.3 The Score in Chicago that he’s spoken with Kane directly, and “it is down to Buffalo and Chicago.” Chelios framed it as a personal tug-of-war for the 37-year-old — going home to Buffalo to make things easy on his family, or returning to Chicago, where in Chelios’ view, “he’s a Blackhawk.”

Chris Chelios recently spoke to free agent Patrick Kane about his interest in returning to the Blackhawks:

"I am not gonna lie to you guys, it is down to Buffalo and Chicago. I know that." pic.twitter.com/FIirxkRntc
— 104.3 The Score (@thescorechicago) July 15, 2026

The timing is notable. Multiple insiders — including David Pagnotta, who had floated a four-team race involving Toronto and Colorado as recently as this week — now see it as a two-horse contest, with Chicago able to offer top-line minutes next to Connor Bedard on a likely one-year deal, and Buffalo offering a homecoming with a legitimate contender.

But Buffalo’s Inside the NHL columnist, Mike Harrington, raised a wrinkle worth watching: Chelios’ comments came before the Steve Yzerman news broke in Detroit. They removed him as President and GM. Does that impact Kane’s decision?

Detroit still has roughly $19.6 million in cap space and if the Red Wings want to send a statement that they’re not going to lose players as the team makes executive changes, it could be in Detroit where he gets the biggest offer. It would be especially interesting if Dylan Larkin’s trade request were rescinded now that Yzerman is mostly out of the picture.

For now, the framing from those closest to Kane is clean: two teams, one decision, and — per Chelios — a call that’s coming soon. The favorite still appears to be Buffalo, but there’s something about going back to Chicago that has a poetic ring to it.

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