Five Reasons Chicago Blackhawks Fans Should Be Excited For The 2018-19 Season (Part III)

Patrick Kane

The former 1st overall draft pick back in 2007 is Blackhawks fans’ fourth reason to be excited for the upcoming season. A former Calder Trophy winner, Patrick has been the heart and soul of this team since he came into the league. After 11 seasons, he’s now fifth on the Chicago Blackhawks’ all-time goals list with 312. Additionally, he’s now hit sixth on their all-time assists list, and fifth for all-time points as a Blackhawk. For Kane, it’s a pretty impressive position to be in especially considering he still has productive seasons ahead of him.

Speaking of productive seasons, three of Patrick’s four most productive seasons have come in the last three years. The other season was back in 2009-10 when the Blackhawks captured their first Stanley Cup after 49 years.

Remember who topped that off? Here’s a refresher.

In addition to one of the most memorable moments in Chicago sports history, Kane has captured a total of three Stanley Cups, a Hart Trophy, a scoring title, a Conn Smythe and a Calder Trophy.

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He’s the most exciting offensive player on the Blackhawks roster year in and year out. Regardless of who his line-mates are, Kane’s capable of making production happen. It’ll be interesting to see who he lines up next to this year. Whoever it is, it’s certain that his line will be the most exciting to watch night in and night out.

Not only that, but Patrick is perhaps the most exciting player to watch as well. After 11 seasons, he’s reached the point in his career where he has the maturity of an NHL veteran, yet still behaves as a kid.

And boy is that fun to watch.

Though the future of the Chicago Blackhawks is uncertain, Patrick’s isn’t. Even last season, with no goaltending and lackluster defense, Patty entertained every time he hit the ice. For example, here’s a quick clip of him in the Chicago Pro Hockey League this summer curtesy of NBC Sports Chicago.

Additionally, here’s another one from NBC where Patrick played with teammate Alex DeBrincat. The two of them absolutely tore it up.

Though this is simply half-paced, rat-hockey type hockey, it’s still fun to imagine what Kane and DeBrincat could do on a line together this year. DeBrincat – Schmaltz – Kane could be fun, however with no size and a poor face-off percentage it might not be the smartest move. If Anisimov centers that line and can regain his Panarin – Anisimov – Kane form, we could see DeBrincat fit into the Panarin-esqe sniper role as a result. That, of course, would leave Kane back to his old antics of setting up teammates and picking spots on the goaltender.

Regardless of how lines shake up, anytime Patrick Kane is taking the ice Hawks fans are in for a treat. Stay tuned for the final reason Blackhawks fans should be excited for the upcoming season.