Chicago Blackhawks: Patrick Kane is a clear pick for MVP already

So many different NHL players are having great seasons. Yet when looking at the individual performances of different guys, it seems like Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks is having one of the best in comparison.

Looking at who scores the most points in the NHL, you can get a clear indication of who the best of the best are. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl from Edmonton have 37 and 30 points, respectively, Mitch Marner and Austen Matthews from Toronto have 30 and 29 points as well. Behind those four players is Patrick Kane of the Blackhawks, who has 26 points.

Patrick Kane is a leading point-getter in the NHL despite playing with new linemates again this season. Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane have not played a lot with each other in the past, and yet this season has given both players a new burst of life on the ice.

The Hart Memorial Trophy is given each season to the player judged to be most valuable to his team. While at times it has just gone to the player with the most points, I think this season it is Patrick Kane’s trophy if the Blackhawks make the playoffs.

The Chicago Blackhawks are lucky to have Patrick Kane, and he definitely is the most valuable player to his team throughout the entire NHL.

So many different lineups actually in the conversation for the playoffs this season are very deep. Teams like Boston, Tampa Bay, or Carolina could have three or four of their main guys fall to injury, and they would still be rather good. Chicago, on the other hand, would be nothing without Patrick Kane.

Kane has been leading the team throughout the past ten seasons, but in particular, he has been unstoppable in 2021. Kane leads forwards in ice time and is playing in several difficult situations for the team. Every time he touches the ice, Kane has the best of the best out there trying to take the puck away from him, and yet he still has posted 8 goals and 18 assists through 19 games this season.

The most valuable player is about more than just scoring goals and winning games. It is about one player being a difference-maker on the roster and helping to elevate everyone else’s play around him. Kane is doing just that. Should the Chicago Blackhawks make the playoffs this season, Kane would have to be a lock for this award.

The other night’s goal is definitely helping to build his portfolio for the 2020-21 season.

At the rate Patrick Kane is playing, he is on pace to put up around 76 points this season. While that number might be a little high considering it is just a 56 game season, it still could be doable for a player that seems to find the back of the net in some way, shape, or form every night.

The Blackhawks even being apart of the playoff discussion is largely thanks to Kane and Duncan Keith. After the injuries to Jonathan Toews and Kirby Dach and the trade that sent Brandon Saad away from the team, this roster was going to be weaker than in years past. Yet Kane is making them better every night.

The Blackhawks’ next two games against Columbus need to be bounce-back performances after the rough loss to Carolina a few nights ago. Considering how rested the two teams will be, expect a fun contest! Let’s hope Patrick Kane can get involved on the scoresheet again.