Welcome to another summer edition of Around the NHL. The news cycle may have slowed down considerably, but we have you covered on the latest news across the league.

It’s reunion season in the Windy City, as Patrick Kane signed a two-year pact to re-join the Chicago Blackhawks. Kane is arguably the greatest player in franchise history, and signed a contract worth $8 million per season, returning to the franchise where he won three Stanley Cups. And it’s possible that Kane may be joined by his running mate, if only for a day.

Jonathan Toews formally announced his retirement for the second time, but he could return to the Blackhawks on a one-day pact.

“We’d love to have Jonathan back and bring him back,” Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said Friday. “We did it with Marian Hossa. Nothing is set in stone or anything, but I think it’s likely we’ll go down (that path).”

Kane and Toews reunited, if even ceremonially, may be enough for fans to start conjuring up the glory days. The pair were symbiotically linked as the core players of the Blackhawks’ dynasty. Nostalgia could go a long way, at least for one season, in Chicago.

Nikita Klepov signed his three-year, entry-level contract with the Anaheim Ducks. Klepov was selected 15th overall in the 2026 NHL Draft after a standout season with the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League. The 18-year-old was expected to play for Michigan State during the 2026-27 campaign, as Michigan State listed him on their roster earlier this week. Klepov cannot play collegiate hockey as a result of signing his contract, as he can only play in the NHL or OHL next season.

This would be standard procedure, but it perhaps speaks to the Ducks’ confidence in the dynamic forward. Klepov posted 37 goals and 97 points in 67 games last season, and perhaps the Ducks believe he can make the NHL roster outright as a rookie next season. Although he needs to improve on his skating in order to thrive in the NHL, he’s an excellent playmaker and could be another quality piece for a young, ascending Ducks team.

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