Patrick Kane Days Until The Blackhawks Season Opener

May 30, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing

(88) controls the puck against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period in game six of the Western Conference Final of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

We had so much fun doing our Countdown to Faceoff series last season that we decided to do it again.  In case you’re new to the series, we’ll do a roster preview as we count down the days until the Chicago Blackhawks  October 9th season opener against the Dallas Stars.

It is Patrick Kane days until the opening game of the Chicago Blackhawks 2014-2015 NHL season! In 7 years, Kane has made the number 88 one of the most popular numbers in Chicago Blackhawks history.

Patrick Kane’s career stats with the Chicago Blackhawks

Regular Season

Games Played – 515

Goals – 178

Assists – 315

Game Winning Goals – 30

Playoffs

Games Played – 93

Goals – 37

Assists – 54

Game Winning Goals – 7

Kane was drafted no. 1 overall in the 2007 NHL entry draft and played 82 games the very next season scoring 21 goals and 51assists. Fast forward 7 seasons and 2 Stanley Cups later and Kane has earned himself an 8-year contract extension. A few summers ago, Kane’s name floated around in trade rumors because his play on the ice dwindled from expectations that he helped set extremely high, and his antics off the ice fell short of what the organization and young fans expected.

That seemed to be a turning point in Kane’s career as he set out to show a new level of maturity and be a core player that Chicago couldn’t live without. The fans quickly forgave Kane for any transgressions and eventually the organization did too. He’s now one of the faces of the franchise with his name attached to an “era” in Blackhawks history.

Kane had a spectacular season leading up to the 2013 Stanley Cup championship scoring 55 points in 47 games. Last season, he scored 29 goals and 40 assists for 69 goals in 69 games. With a new contract and a few more years of maturity and experience under his belt, Kane will be motivated to prove that the Blackhawks and their fans were right to keep him.

Prediction: Kane will score 32 goals and 53 assists next season for a total of 85 points in 82 games.

What is your prediction for Kane next season?

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