Patrick Kane already has three Stanley Cups, a Hart Trophy and a Conn Smythe. Now he can add the title of “best player in the league” according to NHL Network experts to his resume after the final section of the Top 50 was unveiled over the holiday weekend.
Coming off an MVP-winning season for the Blackhawks, Kane’s place atop NHL Network’s rankings isn’t terribly surprising. Last season, he led the NHL with 106 points — the most by any player since 2011-12 — and set records with a 26-game point streak that showed the 27-year-old at the height of his powers.
Kane may not be the elite two-way player that some others in the top-10 are, but he’s clearly the best offensive player in the game right now. And while defense isn’t his calling card, Kane has always been responsible enough on that end to earn the confidence of Joel Quenneville even in tough situations. You’ll occasionally see Q double-shifting Kane when the team really needs a boost, which says a lot about what the coach thinks of his all-around game.
Five other members of the Blackhawks made NHL Network’s Top 50. Captain Jonathan Toews (No. 9) joined Kane in the top 10, while Duncan Keith (No. 14), Corey Crawford (No. 31), Artemi Panarin (No. 39) and Brent Seabrook (No. 43) round out Chicago’s contingent.