Blackhawks Place Patrick Kane on Injured Reserve
Chicago places its forward on injured reserve retroactive to November 2 as the team endures a six-game losing streak.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Hockey
The Chicago Blackhawks placed Patrick Kane on injured reserve, retroactive to November 2, after he missed the team's last three games with an upper body injury. The move comes as Chicago has lost nine of its last 10 games and six straight.
Why it matters
Kane is one of the team's central players, and his absence adds to a losing stretch that has left the Blackhawks struggling in the standings. His return timing will shape how Chicago approaches its next several games.
Kane has 1 goal and 8 assists in 15 games with Chicago this season, while the Blackhawks have lost nine of their last 10 games, including a 9-2 defeat to Carolina on Saturday. The team's exact injury timeline beyond the reserve designation remains unspecified.
The players
Patrick Kane
Patrick Kane is a veteran NHL forward and Stanley Cup champion whose scoring has long anchored the Chicago Blackhawks' offense.
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a founding member of the NHL's Original Six franchises and a multiple-time Stanley Cup champion based in Chicago.
The details
Kane left a November 2 game against Colorado in the second period and has not played since, missing the last three contests. The Blackhawks made the move through the NHL's transaction wire, backdating the placement to that date.
Timeline
November 2, 2026: Kane leaves a game against the Colorado Avalanche in the second period.
November 8, 2026: Chicago loses 9-2 to the Carolina Hurricanes.
November 12, 2026: The Blackhawks resume play against the Buffalo Sabres, and Kane is eligible to return.
Season Trajectory
Kane's absence arrives as the Blackhawks sink through a stretch that contrasts sharply with the 2010 and 2013 Stanley Cup runs he helped power alongside Jonathan Toews. The losing streak raises questions about where the rebuilding roster sits in the Central Division race.
Fantasy managers who rostered Kane will need to account for his absence through at least November 12, when he becomes eligible to return. The Blackhawks' losing streak also affects standings-based wagers and team-level props for the coming games.
The takeaway
Injuries and losing streaks compound quickly for a team in rebuild, so Kane's return will be a key indicator of whether Chicago can stabilize its season. Track the Blackhawks' lineup updates before the Buffalo game to see how the roster adjusts.
What happens next
Kane is eligible to return when the Blackhawks face the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, November 12.
Further reading
Follow more Chicago hockey coverage for context on the Blackhawks' current season.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NBC Chicago.
