What will become of the Hawks new dynamic duo?
The Blackhawks new dynamic duo, consisting of by far the two most dynamic players on the team, in budding superstar Alex DeBrincat and arguably the greatest American hockey player of all- time Patrick Kane. But their futures with the team are still in question.
The pair has certainly been dominant together, with Kane tallying 26 goals and 66 assists for 92 points in 72 games. Where DeBrincat recorded 41 goals and 78 points in 82 games this past season. The pair was dominant when together amounting for pretty much the only consistent offense from the team all season. Combining for 169 of the 582 total points from the team, a 29% share of the teams total offense. Not to mention giving the Hawks a handful of extra points by dominating in 3 on 3 OT and dazzling highlights all year round.
They are both entering the last year of their respective contracts, Kane will be a UFA while DeBrincat an RFA next summer, and fans are beginning to wonder if they both want to be here for the rebuild. Kane is 33 years - old and could easily want to go ring chasing, where as DeBrincat is 24 years - old and about to enter his prime.
While they both have publicly said all the right things when prompted on their decision to stay or go, (although that shouldn't come as a surprise considering hockey players are essentially robots in press conference who often unfairly get dragged for showing any personality and veering from the "script") there is no set time table on how long a rebuild will take. It could be quick if the Lottery Odds are in the Hawks favor, (or still not work, looking at you pre-McDavid Oilers) or a long process of restocking the prospect pool and developing players. So realistically, would Kane want to spend the twilight years of his career on a team in the basement of the league? Would DeBrincat want to spend his prime in a situation like this?
Their comments also seem to hint that depending on what happens with the other will influence their decision to stay or go. This should not come as a surprise, especially with Kane, as the majority of players he has come out publicly and said he enjoys playing with end up getting moved. Most notably his last dynamic winger in superstar Artemi Panarin, and then two - way winger Brandon Saad, twice. While it may be do to lack of team success his second time around, many seem to forget that Saad's return was influenced by both Kane and Toews's end of year meeting saying the team missed the two-way game of Saad following first round exits to the Blues and Predators (but one can assume Kane did not expect Panarin to be be part of the package to bring Saad back). It can be debated whether the Hawks would have been able to afford keeping Panarin, but that doesn't mean Kane would not have wanted him to stay. Now Panarin is in the conference finals and Saad has returned to playoff hockey being a productive member of the Avalanche now the Blues. On top of that Kane rarely even gets to play with Jonathan Toews anymore, who when paired with was able to lead the team to three Stanley Cups. The argument of balancing the lineup doesn't seem as effective as it was during the regular seasons when the team was contending.
Then there is Dylan Strome, another player who Kane has also publicly stated he enjoys playing with, who is rumored to be almost confirmed to be leaving this summer and not even receive a qualifying offer from the team. It is no secret DeBrincat is a big fan of Strome either, as that friendship and chemistry is part of the reason the Hawks originally traded for him. After a puzzling to start to the year seeing him stapled to the press box and on the 4th line, Strome for clawed his way back between the dynamic duo to finish his year with 40 points in 46 games averaging around 20 minutes TOI. This shouldn't really come as a surprise since when he first arrived Strome got to center Kane and The Cat, and racked up 51 points in 58 games with a 17:04 ATOI.
Which makes it even more confusing on why Strome might be walking as a free agent this summer, as seemingly the best fit between the dynamic duo. Could him leaving be the straw that breaks the camel's back for the future of Kane & Cat?
Ultimately their future on the team will largely come down to them, as they hold their fate in their own hands for the most part. More so for Kane since he has a No Trade Clause and will be a UFA this summer, but DeBrincat's RFA status can be leveraged through a hold out for a sign and trade.
But lets not dread and end this on a sad note, certainly these two create enough magic on the ice to entertain fans during the coming rebuild, so lets end with another highlight reel from the pair. The song in this video does come with an NSFW warning for language. Don't forget to vote in the poll and sound off in the comments on what you think will become of the dynamic duo as well as your favorite moment from the pair! Enjoy the magic!
| POLL | ||
Will both Kane and DeBrincat remain on the team during the rebuild? | ||
| Hopefully, we need someone worth watching! | 63 | 27.6 % |
| Yes, we need their leadership. | 106 | 46.5 % |
| No, let them go win somewhere else! | 59 | 25.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
