This Sunday is set to be a huge moment in Blackhawks history as two generations of Blackhawk legends will be honored. Both legends spent a large part of their careers in the Indian Head sweater, and both players spent time with the once bitter rival Detroit Red Wings. Both are considered to be among the best American-born players in their positions. For this piece, let us focus on the player who is still building his hall of fame resume, Patrick Kane. It has been 369 days since Kaner last wore a Blackhawks sweater in the United Center, and despite all the time that has passed, it still doesn’t feel real.
Kaner and Tazer took a franchise that was dead in the water, and most people forgot it was even still a thing. The former first-round pick hit the ice at full speed and never looked back. Winning the Calder Trophy after putting up 72 points in 82 games in his first season, with the help of the Toews, gave us fans something to be excited about and gave us hopes for the future of this team. Following up on his rookie season, he helped lead the up-and-coming Hawks to the Conference Finals, and despite losing to the Wings, Kaner and the Hawks put the league on notice, and after the first Cup in 2010, there was no looking back.
In 16 seasons with the Hawks, Kane took home the Calder, Conn Smythe, Art Ross, Ted Lindsay, and the Hart Trophy. He was a nine-time All-Star and was well on his way to being the greatest Hawk of all time, as he was just 243 points away from passing Stan Mikita for most points in franchise history. When most players start to slow down and see their point production go down, Kane is setting career highs and doing it all at less than 100 percent health.
Kane will no doubt have a video package coming his way during one of the TV timeouts, and I hope that when everyone is taking it in and reliving the moments that Kane has given us fans, everyone can truly appreciate how lucky we were the last 16 years. It was easy to take it for granted when it was happening, and now, after a few dark seasons, it’ll be a great reminder of the good times and hopefully will get us excited for what the Bedard-led era can be.
Sunday will be a can’t miss night for Chicago Hockey, and it just might be the first time a Red Wing will be getting a standing ovation in the Mad House, and it is well deserved. Patrick Kane will always be seen as one of the best to ever do it, and it is an absolute honor that he was able to do almost all of it here in Chicago.
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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