The Chicago Blackhawks have found a way to get all types of good news surrounding the organization in the last month, despite the team finishing at the bottom of the league’s standings again this past season. They ended the season on a high note with an overtime victory against the Ottawa Senators on the road, with the group playing more physical and with a quicker pace in general throughout the final few weeks of the campaign.
It was made official on Monday that the organization will be drafting third overall in June, with the results of the lottery giving the New York Islanders the top pick in the draft. This selection will be another major piece to this rebuild moving forward, and it’s one that could potentially see Chicago pick anywhere outside of the top three choices in the 2026 draft.
The franchise was notified on Friday that one of their all-time greats was named to the NHL’s quarter-century team alongside other premier forwards who made their debuts between the 2000-2010 years.
Chicago Blackhawks’ icon Patrick Kane named to quarter-century team
NHL: Chicago Blackhawks at Ottawa Senators Feb 17, 2023; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) celebrates his goal scored in the third period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
Kane spent 16 seasons in Chicago after being the first overall pick in the 2007 draft. Known as “Showtime”, he won three Stanley Cups with the Blackhawks and took home the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league’s most valuable player in 2016. Kane being officially selected to the NHL’s quarter-century team is a well-deserved honor, as he will go down as one of the greatest Blackhawks to ever play the game.
Kane finished his time in Chicago playing in 1,161 games across his 16 years. He scored 446 goals and collected 779 assists with the organization as his 1,225 points made him an over point-per-game player in his tenure. There will never be another figure in franchise history as electric as Showtime was, and fans can only hope that he finds a way to finish his legendary career where he started it.
NHL: Toronto Maple Leafs at Chicago Blackhawks Feb 19, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane (88) celebrates with forward Max Domi (13) after Demi scored an empty net goal in the third period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images
