Patrick Kane made his choice and it wasn't the Maple Leafs

Patrick Kane ended up signing a free agent contract with the Chicago Blackhawks which brings him back to where he started and put Toronto behind him as a potential destination.

For weeks, Kane's future has been unclear after reports that he was linked heavily to teams such as Toronto, Buffalo, and Chicago. Arguably the top free agent name left, as each day passed, the speculation grew.

It came down to Chicago though, and Kane heads back to where it all began and where he cemented himself as a Hall of Famer. Signing a two-year, $16-million deal ($8-million AAV), Kane is going to be a huge part of the Blackhawks offence especially with Connor Bedard injured to start the season.

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The Blackhawks made the announcement on social media with a simple 'Showtime' caption:

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Kane also received a full no-movement clause in his deal according to Puckpedia:

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In his time spent with Chicago previously, Kane had 1,225 points in 1,161 games (446 goals, 779 assists, per Hockey Reference) while winning three Stanley Cups as well as a Hart Trophy, Art Ross, Conn Smythe and was the 2007-08 Calder Trophy winner as Rookie of the Year.

Last season, Kane had 16 goals and 41 assists for 57 points (67 GP) and has spent the last three seasons with the Red Wings.

Toronto had the connection to land Kane

While they didn't manage to sign him, it wasn't as if Toronto was a team who didn't have a chance. Auston Matthews has a strong relationship with Kane and the American connection can't be understated - with there being potential to have two of the greatest US players ever on the same line.

There was also another connection to Gavin McKenna, who repeatedly stated how much he looked up to Kane and modelled himself after him. Kane as a mentor to McKenna would have been a fitting role while still being able to help balance out the top-six.

It seems like there was some mutual interest too, as Kane reached out to McKenna after being drafted to congratulate him and offer some advice:

I didn't get too many wild ones, but Patrick Kane texted me. He's my idol, so that was cool.

All of this culminating in a report that stated Toronto had a committed top-six piece who wanted to play for them, they were just waiting for money to be cleared. While Kane didn't end up being that player obviously, he was considered the likeliest candidate.

But with Bedard on the IR for the next few months after surgery, the Blackhawks needed someone they could trust to help lead the offence and who better than Kane to fit that need - plus Bedard personally wanted him as part of the lineup prior to him being ruled out.

With the Maple Leafs still looking to make one more big swing before the season opens up, Kane seemed like the best bet though at least they won't need to worry about him haunting them in the Atlantic this season.

Passing on Kane fits everything Chayka stands for this summer

We've touched on how Chayka decided to transform the bottom-six but did so by paying a great deal of money for under a combined 100 points last season. While the defensive side improved drastically and they got tougher - they still lack a bit of firepower.

Kane would have been a deterrent to that, given that he's basically all offence. He's not bad defensively but his true strengths lie in being that elite playmaker who can still embarrass opponents even at 37.

Though if you take a step back you'll see why Kane may not have fit into this new mindset. Toronto finished second-to-last in goals against (295), second in goals against per games played (3.60), gave up the most shots in the league per game.

They also gave up the second most 5v5 goals (206), the most 3v3 (10), and also tied for second in most losses after leading after two periods (3).

So, if you're looking to completely change that defensive output, then going after those tougher and less flashy players was a necessity.

Players like Colton Sissons, Nick Paul, and Teddy Blueger will all add some much needed relief for the defence and goaltending and they'll be able to at least give Toronto more of a fighting chance game in and game out.

While there was a great opportunity for Gavin McKenna to learn from Kane, and Matthews to have yet another elite playmaker at his disposal, it didn't fit the MO of John Chayka and the Maple Leafs to sign Patrick Kane.

Also read on Hockey Patrol :
John Chayka refused the Rangers deal that Brad Treliving would have taken