Hawks’ Kane receives outstanding recognition from NHL

The NHL Network recently unveiled its list of the game’s top 20 wingers for 2017-18 and the name at the top of the list shouldn’t surprise you: Patrick Kane. The 28-year-old Chicago Blackhawks sniper was named the best winger in the NHL, beating out other talented wingers like Nikita Kucherov, Brad Marchand and Vladimir Tarasenko for the top spot.

Should it really come as any surprise, though? Kane has been a dynamic offensive force in the game for years now and controls the play like few other wingers do in today’s NHL game. While centers usually grab the spotlight in terms of driving offensive play, Kane defies the convention and makes the game adapt to his skill set, rather than the other way around. The silky smooth playmaker is equally adept at dishing or finishing and can burn the opposition in so many ways.

So, again should it really come as any surprise? With 34 goals and 89 pints in 82 games last season and 46 goals and 106 points the previous campaign, what’s a realistic expectation for the game’s top winger in 2017-18? Can he crest the 100 point plateau again? If so, he’ll need to find instant chemistry with a new linemate, after former teammate and trigger man Artemi Panarin, who was coincidentally winger number 9 on the NHL Network’s list,  was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets earlier this offseason.