[A] Player Evaluation: Patrick Kane

[Shantz My Pants]

I’ve gone through my phases of either being a fan of Patrick Kane or think that he’s a lazy/inconsistent/irresponsible/immature hockey player. The fact of the matter is nobody, not even my highly judgmental self, can deny that Patrick Kane has world class skills. After a poor year statistically, many Hawks fans (myself included) are hoping to see Kane bounce back with a huge year. Unfortunately, there are different scenarios floating around right now that may hold him back from making that big of a bounce back.



The most important/unclear question is where does head coach Joel Quenneville plan on slotting Kane in the lineup? In my honest opinion, I don’t see Kane as a center. Playing center, especially at the NHL, takes time to learn and understand especially in your own zone. It’s much easier to have a forward lineup on the wing as their main job in their own zone is to cut off the passing lane to their point (in most defensive systems) and to make a good read on getting the puck out of the zone during a break out (either skate, pass to an open teammate, or chip it off the boards). As a center though, you need to know who you are covering in your zone, when to switch your man-to-man assignments with the defensemen, where to be when a defenseman leaves the front of the net to chase a puck carrier, how to time the break out pass from your winger on the strong side, etc. Unfortunately, Patrick Kane wasn’t able to gain that type of knowledge or get experience with it as he was constantly shuffled through positions throughout games. Kane also isn’t the most responsible in the defensive zone to begin with so assuming he would be able to understand the center positions responsibilities was a bit of an understatement.



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[/float]With playing Kane at center, you essentially are handicapping the main reason he’s in the NHL. When you have Kane playing right wing, you have one of the top offensive players in the league. Outside of Pavel Datsyuk, I don’t think there is anybody in the NHL who is as deceptive with the puck and can stickhandle as well as Kane does in traffic. Kane also views the ice well, and his hockey sense is off the charts. Follow that up with precision passing and a quick release on his shot and you could be looking at a player who could reach 100 points in the NHL. Kane also possesses great speed and acceleration. While he is on the shorter side, he’s added more muscle each year and is getting bounced around less and less each year. He’s even beginning to put his body into players during the play which isn’t really expected from a player of his stature and playing style.



After an off-season that started with some negative publicity even Kane had admitted that he embarrassed himself. I would think he comes into the season wanting to prove that he belongs in the same sentence as the game’s elite. If Kane shows up every shift and is consistent with his play, you could see one of the most dangerously offensive players in Blackhawks history.



PREDICTION: 82 GAMES | 31 GOALS | 51 ASSISTS | 82 POINTS | PLUS-10



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[R K]

I of course consider the source....



NHL.com did an article today on players who need to step up. They discected his point production and not ONCE mentioned anything about having surgery, missing ALL of Camp and or being asked to play OUT OF POSTION a good portion of the year. Nor did they mention him filling in for Toews, and leading the team on the ice while he was out.



Again looking at points and production makes the NHL Writer one thing, a dumb **** not knowing what he was talking about.



Pretty simple when you play RW, C and LW and you ARE A natural RW, your going to have less production. Especially when most of that time is at Center! Your too worried about other aspects of your game than what you should be worried about, dishing the puck and or shooting the puck.

 

[The Count Dante]

<queue broken record>



The more center Kaner plays, the less he will be able to use the rare skill that he has: Puck Control within the whole of the O end. On the Hawks, I can think of 2 guys that can do this: Hossa and Kane. Only Kane really cant... At center, he has to be conscious of the 3rd man back and playing behind the net in the D end.



All things considered, he did well and we have watched his D play improve each year. But using Kane at center is the weak spot. In my opinion, you will never see the numbers folks want to see with Kane at center.



How many NHL centers are Kane's size again? Oh, 1?! (Roy).

 

[sniper]

I agree that Kane should not be used at center, sharp has always been better suited at center anyway if that's what it comes down to... I expect more from Kane this season

 

[BlackHawkPaul]

I expect him to finish off the keg and pork 3 fat chicks before puck drop.

Oh, and he should reach 90 points this year too.

 

[supraman]

I want to see him at the All-Star game doing the shoot out comp with his stick in one hand and his beer in the other.

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

He won't be able to attend the all star game because hell use that time off to be in rehab. Duh!!!

 

[R K]

I agree that Kane should not be used at center, sharp has always been better suited at center anyway if that's what it comes down to... I expect more from Kane this season

I suppose that depends on where his coach decides to slot him. If he allocates him to the proper slot I would be unhappy with anything less than 70-80pts. If he plays musical positions with him, AGAIN, who knows where he ends up.



Several NHL coaches have expressed how much they like Kane at Center. Why, because the worry about his product LESS there. It's not rocket science, he's not a Center.

 

[sniper]

I suppose that depends on where his coach decides to slot him. If he allocates him to the proper slot I would be unhappy with anything less than 70-80pts. If he plays musical positions with him, AGAIN, who knows where he ends up.



Several NHL coaches have expressed how much they like Kane at Center. Why, because the worry about his product LESS there. It's not rocket science, he's not a Center.

can't say i disagree with you. if scooter cant get a center it might be more of the same for kane. too bad Q wont just move sharp back.

 

[R K]

he wants/wanted a 100pt season. Unfortunately playing musical positions won't get him there. Also add the fact our "crack medical staff" couldn't predict or diagnose surgery either. Had they done that at the TIME of injury he doesn't blow his entire off season training with a cast on his wrist.

 

[supraman]

Here's my thing about Kane, like JT, he's clutch. I will take clutch over 100 pt seasons. Game 5 tying goal? Kaner. SC winning goal? Kaner. Like everyone is saying Kane just needs to go play RW, especially with JT. All they are missing is a big name LW and those guys will be unstoppable.

 

[the canadian dream]

He could have hit 90-100 points last year if not for the **** around with positioning and what looked to be being bothered at time by injury. When he started the season last year he was top notch and could tell he wanted it. There was a power in his stride and a speed that was jaw dropping. He also had new power on his shot which looked scary. I thought he was going to post 90+.



I take my hat off to Kaner for playing center though when asked to without putting up a stink fit (I wish Sharp had that same attitude). Def a hard transition like you said Trev. It's not as if he was horrible at the position either. Certainly doesn't belong there (the defensive problems being the biggest) but when you compare his production to other 2nd line centers in the league he fared pretty well at the time spent there. He's a RW built for that position. He is also built to play with Toews as its a natural compliment. I don't mind Q's switch ups here and there as thats a good weapon and option to have (not all teams have it). But there has to be far more consistency and respect to the FACT that Toews and Kane are a top duo. Both can and do elevate each other. I don't know why that is messed around with.



I really don't question his work ethic. Not all smaller players are going to be Marty St Louis Theo Fluery types. He may not grind but that doesn't mean he isn't focused and thinking about the game every shift and while on the bench. He's not my favorite style of NHL player either but not everyone is Steve Larmer or J Toews. If I did however want to watch a guy make crisp clean passes in difficult situations and make it look easy Kaner is def one of those I am subscribing to. He is one of the best instinctive quick thinking RWers in the game. I do have some issues with his PP game though sometimes. Not sure if its more the system of the PP. Kaner sometimes is better when he acts on instincts and while moving. Set plays really aren't his niche. Oh and LW on the PP? Come on whos brain child was that one? Won't even get into the few times he played LW even strength. If I ever see Kane on the LW again I swear to god........



I expect a big season from him if he is used properly this time around.

 

[the canadian dream]

Here's my thing about Kane, like JT, he's clutch. I will take clutch over 100 pt seasons. Game 5 tying goal? Kaner. SC winning goal? Kaner. Like everyone is saying Kane just needs to go play RW, especially with JT. All they are missing is a big name LW and those guys will be unstoppable.

That's why I dont question his work ethic also. He is clutch. You can also throw in the assist to Parise when USA tied Canada in the gold medal game with dick all time left in the 3rd. He dominated that shift. I don't think Kane ever puts down his stick and surrenders. Pretty obvious coaches know this too or else he wouldn't be out there when clutch is needed. Pretty obvious that he has the work ethic if you are getting treated as a go to guy.



Sharp was that LW. Don't think we will ever really see that line consistant again until the Hawks find some deeper depth on the left side and center so talent doesn't have to be spread out. I don't think that top line has to be stacked to the nards (not that it wouldn't hurt). HOWEVER when ever we see a situation where its Keith/Seabs/Sharp/Toews/Kane on the ice at the same time? There is an explosion of energy and grace. Maybe I am making it up in my head or seeing what I want to see?



Funny because I am starting to have some issues with Sharp even though I have always liked his game and have utmost respect for his time as a Hawk esp through the slimmer seasons when he first arrived. I'll save that for the Sharp evaluation.

 

[MassHavoc]

I predict he will have a huge year and they still won't shut up about him being too drinky.

 

[Shantz My Pants]

I question the consistency.



Unfortunately, this view is tainted because I compare him to Toews which is unfair to anybody. Toews obviously goes out and is balls to the wall 99% of his shifts. Kane is a bit more reserved, but can turn it on when needed. Toews is also an in your face type player while Kane is a bit more "reserved" or patient will you which can skew what I judge him on.

 

[Shantz My Pants]

and yes.... hahaha I said taint...

 

[supraman]

That's why I dont question his work ethic also. He is clutch. You can also throw in the assist to Parise when USA tied Canada in the gold medal game with dick all time left in the 3rd. He dominated that shift. I don't think Kane ever puts down his stick and surrenders. Pretty obvious coaches know this too or else he wouldn't be out there when clutch is needed. Pretty obvious that he has the work ethic if you are getting treated as a go to guy.



Sharp was that LW. Don't think we will ever really see that line consistant again until the Hawks find some deeper depth on the left side and center so talent doesn't have to be spread out. I don't think that top line has to be stacked to the nards (not that it wouldn't hurt). HOWEVER when ever we see a situation where its Keith/Seabs/Sharp/Toews/Kane on the ice at the same time? There is an explosion of energy and grace. Maybe I am making it up in my head or seeing what I want to see?



Funny because I am starting to have some issues with Sharp even though I have always liked his game and have utmost respect for his time as a Hawk esp through the slimmer seasons when he first arrived. I'll save that for the Sharp evaluation.

STK line is a thing of magic and potentially the most productive line in the NHL but we wont see it. I was BSing with Dante in PMs and said the perfect LW for the hawks to play with Kane and Toews is Ladd. Now I get it that is unrealistic that we would get Ladd back but he is the type of player that would fit perfectly with those two. He isn't slow, he's grit, and he has enough hockey smarts to play with them. sure he doesn't have the raw talent to be a superstar but the guy has hockey smarts in spades.

I question the consistency.



Unfortunately, this view is tainted because I compare him to Toews which is unfair to anybody. Toews obviously goes out and is balls to the wall 99% of his shifts. Kane is a bit more reserved, but can turn it on when needed. Toews is also an in your face type player while Kane is a bit more "reserved" or patient will you which can skew what I judge him on.

It is unfair. It is apples to oranges. Toews is a calvary leader, charging in full speed and his men loyally following. Kaner is just Toews's best soldier.