The Chicago Blackhawks seemed destined for a bad season this year. One year after a Stanley Cup victory, the Hawks traded away Brandon Saad and Patrick Sharp. The team also had new players on nearly every line, and with star Patrick Kane mired in a scandal that made fans unsure of whether he would even play this season, it seemed unlikely he could come back and lead the team to the same success they had seen recently. While the team has been in the middle of the very tough Central Division, Kane is playing the best hockey of his career, seemingly carrying the team's hopes in this season, and could very well lead the Hawks to another deep playoff run.
Kane began last season on a tear. Despite missing the final 21 games of the 2014-15 regular season with a broken clavicle, Kane ranked second on the team with 64 points. He led the NHL in points at the time of his injury, and was considered a Hart Trophy candidate. The injury was originally expected to keep Kane out for 12 weeks, but seven weeks later, Kane hit the ice, and proceeded to lead the team with 23 points in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Then the offseason came.
Rape allegations against Kane have been long reported on, and at his press conference during Training Camp, Kane looked both physically and mentally exhausted. It looked like he had never had an offseason to recooperate from the long season, and some expected him to come out very sluggish. Instead, Kane leads the NHL in points and has set the NHL record for most consecutive games recording a point by an American-born player.
Nobody could have expected this kind of explosive season by Kane, who some were wanting to be suspended. Both he and his accuser have faced the wrath of haters and people with no knowledge of the situation. However, Kane seems to have grown from this, and has made NHL history. After the unloading of key players, the Hawks didn't seem like a legitimate contender this season. While the team seems set for another season stuck in the middle of the Central Division, a playoff spot seems pretty safe for a team that plays well under pressure.
The team has not had contributions from any forwards not paired with Kane. Second on the team in points, with 15 less than Kane's 38, is rookie Artemi Panarin. The next forward is Artem Anisimov. Jonathan Toews is the top point-getter among players not associated with Kane, and he has only 15. Marian Hossa, with 10, is the only other forward in double digits. Kane is grossly carrying this team, which seems strange for the defending Cup champs. Without Kane, the team would be fighting with the Colorado Avalanche for last place, instead of in fourth. Kane has saved the team early, and if he can keep up his play all season, could be the reason the team repeats as champs, and wins their fourth Cup in seven seasons.
