Patrick Kane Wins Hart Trophy for 2015-16 NHL Season

Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks won the Hart Memorial Trophy on Wednesday as the NHL's most valuable player for the 2015-16 season.

TSN's Bob McKenzie confirmed the selection by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Kane beat out fellow finalists Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars for the honor.

Kane adds the Hart Trophy to an already impressive collection of hardware. The three-time Stanley Cup champion won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's top rookie for the 2007-08 season and the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP in 2013.

The 27-year-old Buffalo, New York, native also collected the Art Ross Trophy as the top scorer in the NHL at the conclusion of the regular season. He tallied 106 points (46 goals and 60 assists), besting his closest competition by 17 points.

His points total was also a new career high by a significant margin. His previous highest came in 2009-10 when he scored 88 points. It was a dominant season from start to finish for the league's most dynamic American player.

Chicago's attempt to repeat as champions ended with a Game 7 loss to the St. Louis Blues in the opening round of the playoffs, though. Afterward, Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune noted the forward stated he'd gladly give up the individual success for another Cup run.

"Absolutely. (There's) nothing like winning a (Stanley) Cup and going far in the playoffs and being part of a championship team," Kane said. "Absolutely, you'd trade it all in."

The good news for Kane is that the Blackhawks are one of the best franchises in all of American sports, and the team's foundation remains strong moving forward. So he should get numerous more chances at a championship in the future.

On the flip side, having another season like he enjoyed this year will be difficult. The NHL's scoring decline in recent years has made a 100-point season a massive accomplishment. In 2014-15, Benn won the points race with just 87.

Although it might have been difficult to reflect on the magnificent season he had immediately after the playoff exit, he should come to appreciate it more over time. The Hart Trophy will be a constant reminder of a terrific year.