Team MVP thus far?

I'm not sure if the SCH guys are going to post anything on this, but after the mid-season reviews, I thought this would be an interesting (non-huet related) debate................

Who is the Blackhawks' MVP at this point in the season?

Most would consider this a three horse race between Kane, Toews, and Keith.  I'll make a brief case for each, but ideally, I'd just like to spark some discussion.  I tend to think this discussion should go more towards "Who could this team least afford to lose?" as opposed to "Who provides the most to this team based on their monetary value (cap hit)?"  (I've embedded links after the jump that will take you back to the SCH reviews).

Patrick Kane

Brian Campbell's resurgence aside, is there any Hawk that has progressed more than Kaner?  As his midseason review mentions, Kane is on pace for 92 points, which would be a 27% increase from his career high of 72 pts.  While standard +/- has its deficiencies, Kane finished last year with a -2 and has seemingly righted that ship (he currently sits at +15).  The midseason review discusses what Kane's increased strength has done for his puck possession game, and Kaner has taken large strides toward becoming a respectable forechecker and backchecker.  At times Kane's back pressure still leaves just a bit to be desired, but his forechecking has been solid.....just ask Luke Schenn.  Kane's vision and hands continue to amaze and he has shown a real ability to snipe when there is no dime to drop...........but is he the most valuable player?

Jonathan Toews

Tazer's development isn't quite as easy to point out in terms of point production, but as Sam points out, the intangibles are key.  I don't have any doubt that Toews will score 40-50 goals at some point, but another slow start coupled with the early season concussion have probably taken these numbers out of the picture for this year.  Like Kane, Toews +/- is improved and outstanding (+12 last year, +19 this year).  As Sam mentions, Tazer is great at the dot and a horse on the boards, and he has really wowed me on the forecheck this season, the Boston defense is still having nightmares at the thought of Toews chasing them around their own zone.  Perhaps my favorite time to watch Toews is when he is on the PK with Hossa, those two seemingly create shorthanded chances without even trying.  The Kid wears the C just as we'd like him to, you get the feeling he just won't let you down.........the Tim Tebow candidate......does leadership and a full-go persona get you the hardware?

Duncan Keith

If you think Kane's jump in point production is awe-inspiring, take a look at Dunc's.  Flash's career high in points is 44, and he is on pace for 75, which would be a 70% increase!  If Dunc stays on pace for 75 points, he would finish with the highest point total for a defenseman since Lidstrom's 2005-2006 total of 80.  Dunc's vision from the blueline is tremendous.  Whether he is looking for a redirect from one of his forwards, faking a slapper and sliding a no look pass to the wing, or toeing the blue line and firing a shot on net, Dunc has evolved into our best offensive defenseman.  After all of the offensive praise......he is still seen as a technician in his own zone.  Contributions on the PP + a great penalty killer + 1/2 of a shut down defensive pairing = 4th in the league in Time on Ice / Game.  Dunc and his defensive partner Seabrook will be counted on for great two way play against the best the world has to offer come February.  If team Canada is putting so much stock into Duncs, shouldn't he be considered the MVP of his own team?

Note:  I've chosen not to include sabermetrics / behind the net ratings......while I look at them occasionally, they aren't my forte, but please feel free to include them as you back your candidate.

My Vote (not that you should care, but I'm still going to give it to you):   This is a tough choice, so tough that I almost changed my vote to Dunc as I typed the post.......but I'm sticking with Patrick Kane.  Kane is a big reason this team didn't miss Havlat's point production while Hossa was out, he's stayed healthy all year (knock on wood), and has been the Hawk's most consistent point producer.  If we see a jump in Kaner's '10-'11 game like we've seen in his '09-'10 game, we'll be talking about a Hart Tropy candidate.

Please cast your vote and feel free to comment on "your guy", or on anything else I've said for that matter.