Kane trade to Rangers ends golden era of Blackhawks hockey

CHICAGO --When
Patrick Kane
was
traded to the New York Rangers
on Tuesday, it didn't just end a golden era of Chicago Blackhawks hockey. Some say it could mark the conclusion of the greatest career in their history.

"I believe 'Kaner' will go down, until the next Kane or Stan] Mikita comes or [Bobby] Hull comes, as the greatest Blackhawks player to put on a sweater," said former Blackhawks and current Seattle Kraken analyst Eddie Olczyk. "When you look at individual success and you look at team success, you still have chapters to write, but it's been a [heck | Kane traded to Rangers | Kane trade has New York capable of winning Cup]*
Kane had 1,225 points (446 goals, 779 assists) in 1,161 games over 15 seasons. He is second in Blackhawks history in points and assists behind Mikita (1,467 points, 926 assists), third in goals to Hull (604) and Mikita (541), and third in games played, trailing Mikita (1,396) and Duncan Keith (1,192). He was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players, with Keith and Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews, to honor 100 years of NHL Hockey on Jan. 27, 2017, two days before to the 2017 Honda NHL All-Star Game in Los Angeles.
"I think it's hit so many different generations now of players who just continue to come into the League every year, and guys looking up and remembering him scoring big goals and being that showtime player," Chicago defenseman Connor Murphy said.
"You can see the impact that he has on people, just as a sports figure in Chicago and the hockey world in Chicago. Everywhere you go, everyone, no matter how the team's doing, they're excited to see Patrick Kane on the ice because of his elite skill level and leadership and kind of just the resume that he continues to show. You know consistently you're going to get a show out of him at any moment of the game, so that's what makes it exciting for people."
In addition to being one of the best players in Blackhawks history, Kane is also considered one of the best United States-born players in NHL history. He's fourth among skaters from the United States in points, trailing Brett Hull (1,391), Mike Modano (1,374) and Phil Housley (1,232). He's also fourth in assists behind Housley (894), Modano (813) and Brian Leetch (781).
Kane has 45 points (16 goals, 29 assists) in 54 games this season, second on the Blackhawks to forward Max Domi (49 points; 18 goals, 31 assists). He had 10 points (seven goals and three assists) in his final four games with Chicago before he was a healthy scratch the next two. The Blackhawks defeated the San Jose Sharks 4-3 in a shootout Saturday and lost to the Anaheim Ducks 4-2 on Monday. They played their first game without Kane on Tuesday, a 4-1 loss at the Arizona Coyotes.
In 136 playoff games, Kane has 132 points, including 50 goals, none more memorable than his overtime goal in Game 6 of the 2010 Stanley Cup Final against the Philadelphia Flyers that brought Chicago its first NHL championship since 1961. He had 28 points (10 goals, 18 assists) in 22 games that postseason.
With Kane set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season, and the rebuilding Blackhawks near the bottom of NHL standings, he decided to waive his no-move clause to go to the Rangers, marking the end of an incredible run that began at the 2007 draft. He and Toews, the No. 3 pick in the 2006 NHL Draft, became the faces of a franchise long removed from the glory years of the 1960s and 1970s and looking toward them to bring it back to prominence.
"I look at it as, what was going on with that organization before he got there? There weren't fans in the crowd, the organization wasn't where it is at in status where it is now," retired Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw said. "It wasn't just hockey, it was the whole city of Chicago. He brought fans together, he brought teammates together, he created memories for multiple generations. I mean, they've stood by him, he stood by them through the years. It's kind of a beautiful relationship."

When this calendar year began, Kane was struggling with a lower-body injury he's endured since the 2020 playoffs and missed three straight games before returning against the Kraken on Jan. 14. He struggled offensively until mid-February but looked like his vintage self against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Feb. 19, when had the ninth regular-season hat trick in his NHL career, and an assist, in a 5-2 win. He also did his patented spin-o-rama near the end of the second period, almost scoring another goal.
"When you think about some of the most creative players over the last decade, he's right up there, if not the highest," Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo said. "I've played a lot of minutes against him. The combination of hockey sense and skill is tough to find. It's tough to find someone who can make plays in small situations like he can.
"The thing that impresses me the most is he's not going to get 160 points a year but if you look at him throughout his career, he's so good, he's so consistent every single year and that's not easy to do in this league. That's a credit to him, how good of a player he is."
Kane will obviously bring a lot to the Rangers. He's projected to play with Artemi Panarin, his primary linemate in Chicago from 2015-17. Even if he doesn't, he'll adjust quickly because he's had plenty of different linemates in recent seasons, including Panarin, Domi, Toews, Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Strome, Brandon Hagel, Nick Schmaltz and Ryan Hartman.
And Kane's impact won't be just on the ice, but in the room.
"He has that quiet confidence that, 'Hey, everything is going to be OK and if we stick to what we're doing, we'll make things happen," said former Blackhawks forward Andrew Ladd, who won the Stanley Cup with them in 2010. "Specifically, I'll make things happen, which is why he's so special.
"When you've had people go through it as many times as he has, the playoff situations and being in big moments, he had the calmness in those big moments. He doesn't get rattled. He's focused on the task at hand, so that will be what he'll bring to a dressing room, is that confidence. He's not a vocal guy but he's able to affect people because of his presence."
Kane's time with the Blackhawks is done for now. Whether he re-signs remains to be seen. When asked Feb. 19 about Kane or Toews returning next season, general manager Kyle Davidson said that "those are discussions that remain to be had."
But there's no doubting Kane's imprint in Chicago.
"The impact will be forever lasting," Olczyk said. "Look, no disrespect to Stan and Bobby and Tony (Esposito) and Mr. (Pierre) Pilote and Glen Hall, 'Savvy' (Denis Savard) and (Steve) Larmer. But when you look at the complete, overall package, when it's all said and done, I will look at Kaner. I remember Stan toward the end, Bobby I knew more when he was in the (World Hockey Association) and knowing he was a Blackhawk at one time. you look at longevity and individual numbers and the championships. That to me is a deciding factor for whatever that's worth."