Chicago Blackhawks: Five greatest players in franchise history
Patrick Kane
It is very hard to say an active player is the best player in an Original Six’s franchise history, but I truly believe that is the case with Patrick Kane. The Blackhawks knew they were getting a really good prospect when they won the 2007 Draft Lottery and selected Patrick Kane in the draft, but they couldn’t have known that he would alter the franchise this much.
He has been the best player on a team that won the Stanley Cup three times in six years. He did have help from Duncan Keith, Jonathan Toews, and Brent Seabrook and they wouldn’t have done it without them either but Kane drove the boat for this team.
Kane’s career started off with a bang when he won the Calder Trophy as the leagues top rookie, and then he would just go on to help the Hawks win the Stanley Cup three times. Then there was the 2015-16 season where he won the Art Ross Trophy as the leagues leading scorer, which helped him earn the Ted Lindsay Award and the Hart Trophy. During the 2013 Cup run, he won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the playoffs and has four all-star appearances to his name as well.
His career offensive numbers are off the charts and he is only 30. In his 903 NHL game career, he has 356 goals and 582 assists for 938 points. He had 110 points last year so if he keeps up play like that he will pass the 1000 point plateau with ease. Kane might even have a chance at Mikita’s all-time franchise points record but it may be close. He is only 30 so it can be done.
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The Blackhawks have been fortunate enough to have some great players come through and play for them, but the top five is dominated by two specific eras in team history. All five of these men were named to the 100 Greatest Players List as produced by the NHL themselves. Hopefully, the Blackhawks can keep the waves of great players for their franchise coming in.