Chicago Blackhawks: Patrick Kane having a long career wouldn’t hurt

Patrick Kane is the face of the Chicago Blackhawks, and even though he is 31, he is still the future of this team.

Patrick Kane is signed for the next three years at 10.5 million. The exciting thing is, Kane could probably still ask for 10 million a season after this contract is up. He has been that good. While Kane will be around 34 years old when his contract is over, his trainer, Ian Mack, did say he could play until he is 50.

Maybe Kane’s trainer was exaggerating a little bit when he said Kane could play until he is 50, but at the same time, I do believe he could play into his 40s. That would be at least another ten years of Kane.

That leaves the question of when will Kane’s play fall off? Arguably every year we have seen Kane play in the NHL, he has just gotten better year in and year out. While the team has gotten worse around him, Kane has found ways to score different goals and consistently help the team put the puck in the back of the net.

Kane is a fantastic goal scorer, but more importantly, he is an incredible playmaker. Chicago would be better off with Kane still around playing with the team for the next ten years. Kane is one of the greats, and look at how he compares to Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin from the age of 28-31 via (Stathead)

Kane could potentially be the next Stan Mikita with Chicago. When things are all said and done, Kane could be leading Chicago in many different areas, and luckily for the Blackhawks, that might add to their success over the next ten years. As Kane continues to put up great seasons, the team will succeed around him.

While Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith, and Brent Seabrook’s play has fallen off a little from where they were back in 2015, Kane has just gotten better with every year he has been in the league. Just take a look at his stats throughout his career.

It does look like his play is nowhere near falling off from where it was back in 2016 when he put up 106 points. Just imagine what he could do with the next generation. Chicago will keep adding young players to their team in the draft, and Kane could help them leap forward in development.

This season is going to be a milestone year for Patrick Kane. His 14th year in the NHL could see his 1000th NHL game and 400th career NHL goal. Kane is just 27 games and 11 goals away from reaching those milestones.

When thinking about the future of the Chicago Blackhawks, there is no doubt that it is brighter with Patrick Kane in it. I am not trying to say there are not exciting trade packages around for Kane; he would bring back a hefty return. Instead, I feel that a player like Patrick Kane does not come around that often.