CHICAGO — Patrick Kane said he can be better next season and the forward believes the Chicago Blackhawks can be as well.
“I’m proud of myself in some ways, for sure, the way this season went and the way I was able to perform but I still think I need to be at another level coming into next year,” he said Tuesday.
The 33-year-old leads the Blackhawks with 92 points (26 goals, 66 assists) this season.
“I think that starts with just having a good summer and getting 100 percent healthy and next time I step on the ice, after the season, I really want to make sure my body’s feeling good and that I’m able to do the stuff that I want to on the ice.”
Asked if he needed any procedure to deal with what’s physically bothering him, Kane said, “I mean there’s always stuff you can do. As far as a procedure I don’t think that’s really anything we’re talking about right now.”
The Blackhawks (27-42-11) did not qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season. They have won one postseason series (2020 Stanley Cup Qualifiers against the Edmonton Oilers) since winning the Stanley Cup in 2015, their third title in a six-season span (2010 and 2013).
Kane, the No. 1 pick in the 2007 NHL Draft, has scored 1,180 points (430 goals, 750 assists) in 1,105 regular-season games. He has one season remaining on an eight-year contract he signed on July 9, 2014 and can become an unrestricted free agent after next season.
Kane, who said he’ll have discussions with general manager Kyle Davidson about the Blackhawks’ rebuild this offseason, was encouraged at the speed of other rebuilds, including the Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers.
“You can win and still be in a rebuild,” Kane said. “I think there are teams that have accelerated that, too, right? You look at L.A., they had some young guys that probably came in and maybe exceeded some of maybe their front-office expectations and all of a sudden, they’re in a spot where they can sign guys like (forward Phillip) Danault and trade for (forward Viktor) Arvidsson and they’re a better team.”
The Kings are third in the Pacific Division and can clinch a playoff berth Tuesday; The Rangers have clinched at least second in the Metropolitan Division.
“It was like they put out that memo [on Feb. 8, 2018] that they’re rebuilding, and all of a sudden, they’re one of the best teams in the League a couple of years later. Obviously, you bring a guy in like (forward) Artemi Panarin, that helps. Or a guy like (goaltender Igor) Shesterkin, right? He comes to the forefront. You need those young guys obviously to take next steps, but I think it could be done quicker than maybe some people think.”
Kane said working with younger players as part of the Blackhawks rebuild “could be a good thing,” citing how he and 24-year-old forward Alex DeBrincat have developed a great rapport the past few seasons DeBrincat, a frequent line mate of Kane’s, is second on the Blackhawks with 77 points (41 goals, 36 assists) in 80 games this season and has scored at least 28 goals in four of his first five NHL seasons.
“I’ve enjoyed always being around the younger guys and I feel like I’m still a young kid at heart, the way I go about my business and daily life,” Kane said. “But I think another thing is, obviously I’ve developed some chemistry with DeBrincat over the years. And if he’s here and if he’s a big piece, then that makes it easier for me, too, right? Because I’m playing with him every day and he’s such a good player and it makes it fun to be out there with him.
“We’ll see how it all shakes out.”