Kane says Blackhawks can have accelerated rebuild
Turnarounds by Kings, Rangers show 'it could be done'
© Jamie Sabau/Getty Images
"I'm proud of myself in some ways, for sure, the way this season went and the way I was able to perform, but I still think I need to be at another level coming into next year," the forward said Tuesday.
The 33-year-old leads the Blackhawks with 92 points (26 goals, 66 assists) this season.
"I think that starts with just having a good summer and getting 100 percent healthy," he said, "and next time I step on the ice, after the season, I really want to make sure my body's feeling good and that I'm able to do the stuff that I want to on the ice."
Asked if he needed any procedure to deal with what's bothering him physically, Kane said, "I mean there's always stuff you can do. As far as a procedure, I don't think that's really anything we're talking about right now."
The Blackhawks (27-42-11) did not qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season. They have won one postseason series (2020 Stanley Cup Qualifiers against the Edmonton Oilers) since winning the Stanley Cup in 2015, their third title in a six-season span (2010 and 2013).
Kane, the No. 1 pick in the 2007 NHL Draft, has 1,180 points (430 goals, 750 assists) in 1,105 NHL regular-season games, all with Chicago. He has one season remaining on an eight-year contract he signed July 9, 2014, and can become an unrestricted free agent after next season. He said he'll have discussions with general manager Kyle Davidson in the offseason about the Blackhawks' rebuild and was encouraged at the speed of other rebuilds, including those of the Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers.
"You can win and still be in a rebuild," Kane said. "I think there are teams that have accelerated that too, right? You look at L.A., they had some young guys that probably came in and maybe exceeded some of maybe their front-office expectations and all of a sudden, they're in a spot where they can sign guys like [forward Phillip] Danault and trade for [forward Viktor] Arvidsson, and they're a better team."
Captain Jonathan Toews, who has one season remaining on his contract as well, agrees.
"We've seen it with other teams; things can turn around pretty quickly and I think if a lot of different guys are given the right environment and the right opportunity and keep taking steps forward, I think things can turn around pretty fast," Toews said. "It's just a fine line these days in the League. I just think that you don't want to make excuses when you look back on a season like this, but there's just so many things that made it feel like we were just working against the grain always, whether it was the losing streak to start the season, goal droughts, just go down the list.
"There are things that we need to work out as a group. We needed to go through this for whatever reason and I think if we all can kind of take those learning opportunities from it and all get better individually, I see us all improving quite a bit. I don't think it's fair to put any pressure on us going forward, but I definitely think we can come out of this better as individuals and as a team going forward."
The Kings are third in the Pacific Division and can clinch a playoff berth Tuesday; the Rangers have clinched at least second in the Metropolitan Division.
"It was like they put out that memo [on Feb. 8, 2018] that they're rebuilding, and all of a sudden, they're one of the best teams in the League a couple of years later," Kane said of the Rangers. "Obviously, you bring a guy in like (forward) Artemi Panarin, that helps. Or a guy like [goalie Igor] Shesterkin, right? He comes to the forefront. You need those young guys obviously to take next steps, but I think it could be done quicker than maybe some people think."
Kane said working with younger players as part of the rebuild could be a good, citing how he and 24-year-old forward Alex DeBrincat have developed a great rapport the past few seasons. DeBrincat, a frequent linemate of Kane's, is second on the Blackhawks with 77 points (41 goals, 36 assists) in 80 games and has scored at least 28 goals in four of his first five NHL seasons.
"I've enjoyed always being around the younger guys and I feel like I'm still a young kid at heart, the way I go about my business and daily life," Kane said. "But I think another thing is, obviously I've developed some chemistry with DeBrincat over the years. And if he's here and if he's a big piece, then that makes it easier for me too, right? Because I'm playing with him every day and he's such a good player and it makes it fun to be out there with him.
"We'll see how it all shakes out."
