1988∞

Before free agency every year, player agent Pat Brisson likes to reach out to every team around the league and get a sense of what they’re looking for. Names aren’t mentioned. NHL rules are NHL rules. But if a team is looking for a top-six forward or a second-pairing defenseman, Brisson can often gather enough intel to figure out who his clients might be hearing from on July 1.

“You get a pulse on things,” Brisson explained.

What Brisson learned from general manager Kyle Davidson was that the Chicago Blackhawks were at a different stage of their rebuild and looking to improve. That was different from what Brisson had heard from Davidson in recent years.

Patrick Kane’s name wasn’t mentioned, but Brisson got a sense the Blackhawks could be looking for someone such as Kane. So when Brisson heard from Davidson when free agency officially opened on July 1, it wasn’t shocking the Blackhawks inquired about Kane.

“On July 1, they were serious,” Brisson said. “The Hawks came in strong and had a lot of interest.”

That, of course, piqued Kane’s interest. Having played 16 seasons and won three Stanley Cup titles in Chicago was always going to make the Blackhawks an intriguing possibility if they ever came calling again.

But the Blackhawks weren’t Kane’s only option. Brisson didn’t want to get into specific teams, but he said there were 10 legitimate suitors for Kane at the start of free agency. Kane’s history with the Blackhawks offered him something the other teams couldn’t, but he still had a lot to weigh as he was potentially deciding on his final NHL team.

Most NHL free agents decide on a destination and agree on a contract within a day or two of free agency beginning. Brisson often advises his clients to take that approach, too. But it was different with Kane. Kane didn’t want to rush into anything.

“After July 2nd or 3rd, he said, ‘Why don’t I take my time?'” Brisson said. “I said, ‘You can take your time, you should take your time.  … You’re arguably the best American player that’s played the game. You’re fine; take your time.’ We always rush this. I mean, we prefer as an agency, usually, like we want all our guys signed by the second or the third of July because then otherwise you’re chasing stuff. But Patrick, whether he signs on the first or the 10th or August 20th, it didn’t make a difference. We knew he had many seats still.”

Brisson largely let Kane be during that time. He checked in and gave Kane input where needed, but he gave Kane his space. Brisson handled the people calling and texting about a decision. Brisson later learned Blackhawks chairman Danny Wirtz was asking Davidson often whether it was a real possibility that Kane could sign.

Finally, Kane began getting closer to a decision recently. He notified Brisson he’d like to choose a team this week. But then early Tuesday, Kane said he might take another week. By that night, Kane felt like he had made a decision. On Wednesday, Kane let Brisson know he’d like to sign with the Blackhawks.

“History has something to do with it, but more importantly, the fact that he’s playing well,” Brisson said. “Let’s not forget the last 25 games of the year in Detroit; I think Pat had 28 points or something like that. He’s feeling great. So what he can do as a player, what he could bring to this franchise and all these young players. … Pat is going there to be Patrick Kane at the best level he could be. At his age, he’s still very efficient. So the hockey part is everything to do with it or most of it.

“Three years (since Kane left), they were able to pick high and get a few really good young players. And now, it’s pretty clear that, in my opinion, they don’t want to be a lottery pick next year. … It’s like he belongs in a Hawks jersey, too, ‘PK 88,’ there’s nothing (like it). It just makes so much sense.”

Brisson called Davidson on Wednesday and let him know and began negotiating the final terms of the deal.

“I could feel his voice, like he was really, really excited,” Brisson said of Davidson.

Kane’s last three contracts were one-year deals. He could have been open to that again, but Davidson offered two years.

“That was more Kyle’s idea,” Brisson said. “He said, we want to make a commitment. We’d like to do two years. These three last contracts were one year at a time with performance bonuses and stuff like that, games played, and Kyle said we want to make a firm commitment.

Brisson described the $8 million cap hit as a “nice commitment” from the Blackhawks, especially knowing Kane will turn 38 in November. Brisson also said the contract included a full no-movement clause, but he didn’t anticipate the Blackhawks would seek to trade Kane again.

As for this potentially being Kane’s last contract, Brisson wouldn’t rule anything out. He did think Kane would now retire with the Blackhawks.