Chicago Blackhawks react to Patrick Kane signing with Red Wings

The suspense of where Patrick Kane would land next is finally over — and it’s the Detroit Red Wings.

According to multiple reports, the 35-year-old has agreed to terms on a prorated one-year, $2.75 million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks’ old archrival. He’ll reunite with former Hawks linemate Alex DeBrincat.

In the Hawks locker room, the news was met with a mix of happiness for an old teammate and curiosity.

“It’s going to be so weird to see Kaner in that sweater,” said Philipp Kurashev, a teammate of Kane’s for the better part of three seasons before the Hawks traded Kane to the New York Rangers in February. “It’s going take some time to get used to that.

“I know they already have someone with (No.) 88 (fourth-liner Daniel Sprong), so we’ll see what happens. It’s definitely going to be kind of weird to see that, but I’m excited for him.”

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Other Hawks had similar reactions.

“It’s always weird to see” rookie Connor Bedard said. “Even last year when he went to New York, (it was) definitely an adjustment just to your eyes. But it’s cool that him and DeBrincat will be back together. I’m sure they’ll be pretty excited to go.”

Defenseman Connor Murphy said he’s happier about Kane’s return to health.

“Knowing what he went through when he was here with us,” Murphy said, “with the hip being sore and injured and him playing through a lot of pain and seeing the maintenance he was trying to do every day on it just to make it good enough to be able to play — and still for him to be able to produce at a high level and make the big jump to go to New York and try to win a Stanley Cup — just shows his drive and his determination.”

With the Rangers last season, Kane joined Artemi Panarin, another former Hawks linemate, for a playoff run that ended in the first round.

The Red Wings have been loading up with players such as DeBrincat, Shayne Gostisbehere and Jeff Petry for their own Stanley Cup chase.

“I’m excited for him,” Hawks forward Tyler Johnson said. “It’s always a better league when Patrick Kane’s in it, so I’m glad he’s playing. I’m glad he’s healthy and can’t wait to see him play.”

Kane underwent hip resurfacing surgery June 1 and was expected to miss up to six months, but he told the Associated Press in late August he had returned to skating and seemed ahead of schedule.

“It’s just exciting to see progression and just feeling better on the ice,” Kane said then. “Kind of getting back to my old self, so it’s pretty exciting.”

Kane and his representatives had targeted a decision on a new team around Thanksgiving.

The Red Wings were among several teams reportedly on the list, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Dallas Stars and Kane’s hometown Buffalo Sabres.

The Hawks play the Wings on Thursday in Detroit, but there’s no word yet when Kane will be game-ready.

“If he’s ready to sign, I’m sure he’s ready to play,” Hawks coach Luke Richardson said. “I expect to see him.

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“The good thing is our guys know him and know, as good as he is, his tendencies out there. That’s an easy pre-scout for us, but he is so good that he still gets things done. So we definitely always have to keep an eye out on him.”

Bedard said Kane’s presence still is felt in ways in the Hawks locker room.

“You hear about him for sure, just with how much he means to the city and the organization,” he said. “Him and (Jonathan) Toews being gone, it’s weird just from being a fan growing up and seeing the success they had and winning those Cups and everything.

“It’s weird for every hockey fan not seeing them in Chicago, but you hear things about them. Guys will obviously say stuff (about what) he liked to do or whatever. It’s probably weird for him too.”