Blackhawks: Kane is the Best Chicago Athlete of 2010s

Chicago has been home to many legendary athletes. Where does Patrick Kane rank?

Over the last decade, the Chicago Blackhawks have been one of the most dominant teams in the NHL. As 2019 is nearing the end, many people are talking about who the best athlete in Chicago is.

For the better part of the 2010s, the Chicago Blackhawks have been the best team in Chicago. Long gone are the days of Michael Jordan and his Chicago Bulls. The 2010s were all about the Blackhawks and Patrick Kane.

Kane is currently 31 years old and hasn’t shown any sign of slowing down. His team, of course, has slowed down a bit with aging veterans riding out their last few seasons. Kane just hasn’t.

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Patrick Kane will head into 2020 less than 20 points from his 1,000th NHL career point, sitting at 982 right now. Chances are he will hit that before the All-Star break.

The one stat not many people have focused on is this. Kane leads the NHL in points since the start of the 2010s. That is something to be proud of.

Kane is also tied with a few other players for most Stanley Cups this decade. He has had two 100 point seasons, won the Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP), and even added a Conn Smythe Trophy to his name in 2013. Chicago really does run on Kane.

Those who have debated who the best player of the decade is and haven’t said, “Patrick Kane”, are wrong. It’s the easiest choice Chicago fans will make.

Now, there are arguments for other players during one season. Having a great one or two seasons is amazing but having a great decade is hard to accomplish.

The Chicago Blackhawks are currently last in the Central Division, and haven’t been great during the last three years, but Kane has remained an elite player. He is a franchise-changing player, and arguably, the best American-born hockey player ever.

The Blackhawks have had many legends throughout the years — too many to count in this one article — but Kane ranks up there with the best. Like the rest of them, he could play in any era and be successful. The fact that he has stayed successful and relevant for many years now shows how much of an impact he had on the city of Chicago.

In the 80s, the city of Chicago was all about the Bears. The 90s were about the Bulls. The 2000s were all about the Bears again. The 2010s were all about the Blackhawks. Kane and teammate Jonathan Toews helped bring relevance to hockey in the Windy City again.

If scoring the game-winning goal to bring the first Stanley Cup back to Chicago in 49-years isn’t enough, winning three Cups in six years should do the trick. The most impressive feat, stat wise, is leading the NHL in points during the last 10 seasons.

Next time you answer the question, the answer is Kane. Any other answer is wrong, because it’s not even close. Other players have been great, but there hasn’t been a player that’s been here for all 10 years and been so dominant. There’s just no other choice.