The Athletic’s Scott Powers spoke with Patrick Kane’s agent, one Pat Brisson, regarding Kane’s decision to leave Detroit and re-sign with the Chicago Blackhawks. Normally, this isn’t much of anything to take note of, but, given that Brisson is the agent for one Dylan Larkin, let’s take a look at a couple of paragraphs from Powers’ story:
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.”
Continued (paywall); take from all of that whatever you will.