Blackhawks on the road to career milestones
Records, as they say, are made to be broken.
And quite a few of them are going to fall during another impressive season by the Blackhawks.
Many of these records are simply personal bests, yet records nonetheless.
To no one's surprise, Patrick Kane will dominate, as he is poised to accomplish feats not seen by Hawks fans in over two decades. Feats that - depending on whether or not he makes this an annual occurrence - we may not see by any player for another two decades … or more.
I'd like to offer this as a to-be-annual tradition. With 10-15 games to go, I'll give an idea of which players have a chance at personal bests.
So without further ado, away we go …
PATRICK KANE:After handing Kane a sheet of paper with all of these accomplishments, I asked him to choose the one he'd take the most pride in.
His answer: "Hits?"
We laughed, but then he wouldn't pick one, saying: "I don't want to jinx myself."
Here are the milestones that the Art Ross (MVP) trophy candidate can achieve or already has achieved:
• Kane is 11 points away from becoming the first Hawk to record a 100-point season since Jeremy Roenick in 1993-94 (107).
• He needs 12 goals for a 50-goal season, which Roenick last accomplished in 1992-93 (50).
• He's 7 goals away from the 250th of NHL career.
• Almost certainly will be first Hawk to lead NHL in scoring since Bobby Hull in 1967-68 (87 points).
• Needs 8 assists to break career high (58).
• Needs 22 shots to break career high (261).
• Career-best rating is plus-16 (he is currently a plus-19).
• Career-best shooting percentage is 16.7 (currently 15.8)
• Career-high average ice time is 20:12 (currently 20:34).
(Personal season records already set)
• Points: 89
• Power play goals: 15
• Total goals: 38
• Game-winning goals: 7
• Hits: 34
JONATHAN TOEWS:• It won't be easy, but Toews could better his career-best 34 goals if he scores 10 times in the last 13 games.
• He needs just 7 hits to best his career high of 74.
• Needs 3 goals for 250th of his career.
• Needs 6 goals to pass Kenny Wharram for ninth in Blackhawks history.
• Needs 8 assists to pass Doug Bentley for 14th in team history.
MARIAN HOSSA:• Veteran just 4 goals away from reaching magical 500 mark. Forty-three players in NHL history have achieved this milestone.
• Hossa needs 5 more goals or he will finish with his lowest total for a season.
• His shooting percentage (5.9) is a career worst (8.9).
ARTEM ANISIMOV:• Can set career bests in goals (22) with 4 more, assists (26) with 10 more and points (44) with 9 more.
• Career-best shooting percentage is 16.2 (currently 17.9)
• Career-best rating is plus-12 (currently plus-8)
• Has tied career high in power-play goals at 4.
• He will set career best in avg. ice time: Was 16:36. Now: 18:25
ARTEMI PANARIN:• Best chance to get into Hawks record book is to break Patrick Kane's rookie record of 51 assists. Panarin has 37 with 13 games to go.
• He would need a crazy-hot finish to catch Steve Larmer for most goals and points as a Hawks rookie. Larmer had 43 goals (Panarin has 25) and 90 points (Panarin has 62).
ANDREW SHAW:• Can set bests in power-play goals (5) with 2 more, shots on goal (149) with 23 more, hits (168) with 39 more and takeaways (25) with 6 more.
• Career-best rating is plus-12 (currently plus-13)
• Broke previous assists mark of 19. He currently has 20.
BRENT SEABROOK:• Veteran defenseman who signed an eight-year extension before the season already has set career high in goals (13) and power-play goals (6).
• Needs 11 assists to break career high (39).
• Needs 7 points to break career high (48).
DUNCAN KEITH:• Set career high for most power-play goals (4) and game-winning goals (4).
• Career-best shooting percentage is 8.1 (currently 8.0)
• Is 21 points from moving past Pierre Pilote (477) for fourth among defensemen in Hawks history.
COREY CRAWFORD:• Has already set career high in victories (35) and shutouts (7).
• Needs to play in four more games for a career high (59).
• Best save percentage is .924 (currently .927).
JOEL QUENNEVILLE:• Moved past Al Arbour and into 2nd place all time for most coaching victories.
• Needs 5 wins to reach 800 for his career.
ANDREW DESJARDINS:• Set career high with 7 goals (previous best was 5).