Kane serious about taking game to a new level
Patrick Kane says he wants to become one of the NHL's truly elite players.
That's an odd statement coming from someone who already is an established star, a nearly a point-a-game scorer in his first four seasons with 303 in 317 games, and who scored the overtime goal that clinched the Stanley Cup for the Blackhawks in 2010.
But Kane isn't satisfied. He wants to be better, as in becoming a player who controls games, is more responsible defensively, and consistently makes big plays.
“There were times last year when I had good stretches and good runs, but I think the year before I probably controlled games a little bit more and had the puck on my stick a little more,” Kane said.
Twice last season Kane went six games without a goal. There was another five-game drought, and he finished with 2 goals in the final nine games.
Perhaps the most glaring number for Kane, in terms of disappointment, was his 5 power-play goals in 73 games.
In the first-round playoff series against Vancouver, Kane had 1 goal in the seven-game series.
“An elite player, in my mind, is for me playing well defensively in my own end, trying to get a lot of takeaways, score more goals on the power play, have the puck a lot throughout the game, every game, and be more consistent,” Kane said. “I don't want to have the ups and downs that I've had pretty much throughout my four years.
“You want to be consistent, and that's obviously going to help your point total. I just want to be more consistent and create more chances.”
Jonathan Toews couldn't resist teasing Kane when asked about his linemate's desire to take his game to another level.
“It's great to hear about him taking strides; he's growing up, little Kaner,” joked Toews. “I'm sure a lot of people out there consider him an elite player already, but there's a lot of things out there that motivates players to bring their game to another level.”
Hawks general manager Stan Bowman loves to hear a player say he wants to be better, especially when it's an established star such as the 22-year-old Kane.
“When you hear a young player who has achieved what he has say that he wants to be even better, that just goes to show you the motivation he has to be the best in the league,” Bowman said.
“For a player like Patrick, he's an offensive player, so that would probably translate into being even more dominate than he is. We've seen how he can control a game. And I think he plays his best under pressure so I think for him, when he says he wants to get to the next level, it would be to just be dominant in every game.
“If he puts his mind to it, I would bet he's going to achieve that. I would say he's on a mission to have a really great season this year.”
Kane has recovered nicely from the surgery he had on his left wrist July 19. He has been cleared to practice starting Saturday but won't be involved in the training camp scrimmages right away.
“We're going to play it cautiously, but he's also going to participate in everything,” Bowman said.
“We'll take as much time as we need,” coach Joel Quenneville said. “He'll practice a couple times a day, but we won't put him into full contact just yet. We'll gradually work him in.”
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