Chicago Blackhawks: Is Patrick Kane Capable of Becoming an Elite NHL Player?

At the end of the 2010-2011 season, Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane looked tired.  He had fought back from injury earlier in the season, he was nursing a sore wrist that later required surgery, and he was physically beat up following a seven game series. Of course partying all summer in 2010 with the Cup would wear you out too. 

Kane was a point per game player last season and is a unique offensive talent.  At one end of the ice, he can play and create opportunities.  Offensively he is the most exciting player to watch with the puck on his stick.  At the other end of the ice he is invisible, a ghost if you will.  A lot of times when the puck is in the Hawks end of the ice, it is essentially a five on four. 

So far in training camp of this year, Kane has started with a bang, scoring two goals with a splint on his wrist and adding an assist in the team’s opening scrimmage.  He has come to camp with what seems to be a new focus and has been quoted as saying, “I think it's about that time I really take the next step to the elite level.” 

The question is, is Kane truly a one trick pony or can he alter his game to become a complete player?  He is an asset and there is little doubt his contributions to the Hawks’ offense.  In the 2009-2010 season he led the Hawks in scoring with 88 points and challenged Jonathan Toews in the Conn Smythe race scoring 28 points in 22 postseason games.  Of course the goal he scored to end that season will never be forgotten in the city of Chicago. 

Last year, though finishing with 73 points in 73 games, Kane was streaky throughout the year.  Often he would have games where he was a non-factor and that would occasionally happen two or three games in a row. 

Certainly, some of that can be attributed to the lack of depth in the Blackhawks last season compared to 2010 and they did have a shortened off-season. 

What Kane now claims he wants to do will require a transformation.  He will need to be disciplined in the defensive zone.  He will need to accept his responsibilities covering the point man when the team is in-zone coverage.  He will need to come back to the puck hard and check his man with accuracy and precision.  Essentially he will need to grow and mature as a player. 

It sounds relatively easy to do when you sum it up, but will it be that easy for Kane?  He has never been gifted with size and strength.  He may never be the player to physically win more 50/50 battles than he has in the past.  He may not have the discipline to handle the “so called” little things that make players complete. 

If Kane is able to take on these tasks, will that come at a price?  Will he still be the dynamic offensive talent that the Hawks need him to be? 

It may not happen in 2011-2012, but sometime in the near future Hawks fans will learn whether or not Kane is a purely an offensive player, or if he will have more to offer as a two-way player. 

Patrick Kane is immensely talented and is a huge piece of the puzzle for the Blackhawks.  He may well be a 100-point player in this league, but in a game that is starting to realize more value in guys that play solid hockey in both ends, time will tell if Kane has it in him to become one of these players.  If he can, it will be deadly. If not, he will still be a scoring threat, but the Hawks can ill-afford to have Kane's off and on performances.