Blackhawks' Patrick Kane a finalist for Hart Trophy

Posted May 07, 2016 1:00 am

John Dietz

To no one's surprise, the NHL announced Saturday that Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane is one of the three finalists for the Hart Memorial Trophy, given to the league's most valuable player each season.

The other two finalists are Dallas forward Jamie Benn and Pittsburgh forward Sidney Crosby.

Kane set career highs with 46 goals and 60 assists, and he became the first American-born player to lead the league in scoring. His point total is good for eighth-best in franchise history.

"I had a lot of fun playing this year," Kane said April 27, two days after St. Louis eliminated the Hawks from the Stanley Cup playoffs. "Maybe throughout the regular season, more fun than any year."

Kane went on a 26-game points streak this season, which bested Bobby Hull's previous franchise record of 21 games. It was also the longest streak by an American-born player.

If Kane wins the Hart, he would be the first Hawk to claim the award since Stan Mikita won his second straight in 1968. Hull won the Hart in 1965 and '66.

Benn scored 41 goals and had 48 assists for the Stars, while Crosby had 36 goals and 49 assists for the Penguins.

The NHL will announce all of the league's awards on June 22 in Las Vegas.

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