Patrick Kane was forced off with an upper-body injury during the Chicago Blackhawks’ 5-2 defeat to the Colorado Avalanche at the United Center on Monday.
The veteran forward left the game in the second period and did not return, with his final shift coming at 14:53. Chicago coach Jeff Blashill subsequently confirmed that Kane would miss the next couple of games, dealing a significant blow to the Blackhawks.
The injury has raised concerns given Kane’s importance to the team, both as an offensive contributor and as one of its most influential figures in the dressing room.
Patrick Kane injury rules out Blackhawks star
Kane’s departure came during the second period, although the circumstances surrounding the injury were not immediately clear to his teammates.
Forward Frank Nazar admitted he did not know what had happened, expressing his concern for the 37-year-old and wishing he had been in a position to help.
“We have to go see how he’s doing, see if he’s all right,” Nazar said. “I don’t know what happened. If it was in this game, I wish I saw it and did something. Obviously hope he’s all right.”
Blashill provided a clearer picture after the final whistle, confirming that Kane would definitely be unavailable for Chicago’s next couple of games.
The Blackhawks face a major loss without their leading playmaker
Kane has recorded nine points, including one goal and eight assists, in 15 appearances this season. He ranks second among Chicago’s players in scoring, behind captain Connor Bedard, who has collected 10 points.
His eight assists are the most on the team, underlining his importance to the Blackhawks’ attacking play. Kane is also averaging 18:02 of ice time per game, with only Bedard and Roman Kantserov receiving more minutes among Chicago forwards.
Bedard acknowledged the scale of the potential setback, describing Kane as one of the people at the heart of the team.
“It goes without saying, he’s one of the heartbeats of this team, the guy we lean on so much, on and off the ice,” the captain said.
Bedard added that the priority was ensuring Kane recovered properly, although he made no attempt to downplay how much Chicago would miss him.
“It’s a huge loss. He’s Patrick Kane, so it goes without saying, and we hope he’s back as soon as possible.”
Patrick Kane’s return to Chicago and NHL legacy
Kane is currently enjoying his second spell with the Blackhawks after agreeing to a two-year contract worth $16 million on June 23. The deal carries an average annual value of $8 million.
Chicago selected him with the first overall pick in the 2007 NHL Draft, and he subsequently became a central figure in the franchise’s success, helping the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013, and 2015.
Across his NHL career, Kane has accumulated 1,409 points, scoring 509 goals and providing 900 assists in 1,384 games for Chicago, the New York Rangers, and the Detroit Red Wings.
Blackhawks forward reaches another historic milestone
Kane has continued to add to his remarkable career achievements. He scored his 500th NHL goal on January 8 before surpassing Mike Modano’s record for the most points by a United States-born player with his 1,375th on January 29. He then reached the 1,400-point mark on April 13.
His latest milestone arrived on Saturday against the Boston Bruins. Kane registered his 900th career assist when Anton Frondell scored his first goal in Chicago’s 5-4 overtime defeat.
He became the 21st player in NHL history to reach 900 assists and the first United States-born player to accomplish the feat. Among active players, only Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, with 1,113 assists, has a higher total.
Despite recognising the importance of Kane’s absence, Blashill stressed that Chicago must find a way to cope with injuries throughout the season.
“It’s a loss, but again, this is the NHL, so you’re going to lose, guys, and you have to find a way for other guys to step in,” the Blackhawks coach said.