Toews or Kane? A New, More Serious Article, by the NHL-EF

Marian Hossa was perhaps the biggest free agent signing this off-season when he inked a 12 year, $62.8 million contract. For the purposes of next season, this is a great signing and makes the young team from Chicago instant Cup contenders, if they weren’t already. Hossa is by far a more superior player than the talented, yet, injury prone, Martin Havlat, who they chose to let walk away. This was even the case when they both played for the Ottawa Senators. Therefore, it is an instant improvement for Chicago.

However, as most people have figured out, after the 2009/2010 campaign, the Blackhawks will have some decisions to make in terms of who stays and who goes. Chicago’s top two young guns, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane are up for restricted free agency. Both will want long-term contracts that will pay them at least $6 million a season, but probably closer to $7 million. With all of the young talent on Chicago being signed this summer and with all of the other contracts they must stick with for awhile, such as Cristobal Huets and Brian Campbell’s *cough* ridiculous *cough* contracts, they won’t be able to keep them both.

We have all heard who would you rather have, Crosby or Ovechkin, but now the new and realistic debate should be: Would you rather have Toews or Kane to lead your team for the next 10-15 years? Let the NHLEF begin the debate for you.

Winnipeg native, Jonathan Toews was drafted 3^rd overall in 2006 by the Hawks and has had two successful seasons under his belt already. His career stats are admiral with 146 games played, 58 goals, 65 assists, for a total of 123 points. His career +/- is +23, which isn’t too shabby. Toews is a skilled centre who can both set up and score goals. He is currently the captain of the young Blackhawk team and led them to Western Conference Final in 2009 racking up 13 points in 17 playoff games, which isn’t terrible for a players’ first time in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Buffalo native, Patrick Kane was drafted 1^st overall by the Hawks in 2007. He is a skilled winger who has had immediate success in the NHL. He won the Calder Trophy in 2008 for being the leagues top rookie player. His career stats over two seasons are impressive with 162 games under his belt and notching 46 goals and 96 assists for a total of 142 points. His career +/- is not as impressive at -7. He, like Toews, also performed well in his first experience with Playoff Hockey notching 14 points in 17 games. Kane has been more of a playmaker, than a sniper, so far in his NHL career.

So those are the facts. Now it’s time to determine who Chicago should keep and who they should part ways with. Kane is indeed a great offensive power and can contribute points at key times, in key games. Toews is also a great offensive power who can also play under pressure. Both have yet to reach their full offensive potential thus far in their NHL careers, but they surely will soon. As mentioned, Toews can shoot and pass, so he is a double threat. Kane on the other hand, is more of a playmaker, and therefore benefits from having skilled snipers to play with, and without that, he can become quite ineffective. In terms of offensive attributes, you have to give the edge to Toews.

Defensively speaking, both players need work in their own zone, which is the case with most young, skilled players. For what it is worth Toews has by far the better +/- compared to Kane, which can support the argument that he more defensive minded than Kane. Therefore, you can give Toews the defensive edge as well.

In the new NHL, marketability is key for a franchise (and the league) to be successful. Therefore, examining which of these two young stars is more marketable is important. Toews is a quiet, genuine, Canadian. He is not seen as the top player in the game, but he is very good. In Canada his marketability is sufficed, especially after his heroics in the shootout against the Americans in the World Junior Championships, which every Canada enjoys watching. Other than that, his marketability in the USA is pretty much non-existent, which is not good if that’s where your trying to expand you fan base. Kane on the other hand has marketing in his veins. He is a fun loving kid who fans love to connect with. He is one of the top American born players in the game today. And he is the new cover boy of EA Sports NHL 10, an honor that he can share with Alexander Ovechkin. So if marketability is the way to go, you would be best suited to keep Patrick Kane.

Leadership is probably the most important item to take into account when comparing these two, since who ever will be chosen to stay, will lead the Hawks for the next 10 years or so. Toews and Kane have both been leaders and captains on teams that they have played for in their hockey careers before the NHL, so it is nothing new to them. Toews currently holds the captaincy for the young Hawk team, and the team has performed well under his leadership. Many people, including myself, feel that this insures that Toews is the man of the future and Kane will be looking for a new home after next season. However, as trivial as this argument may be, Kane is American and Toews is Canadian. Canadians are generally seen as captains on NHL teams, it’s just a fact. However, the argument I am going to try and make is that Kane can be a next generation Mike Madano, an American captain, leading an American based team. Kane would probably excel under this opportunity if he was given the “C” in Chicago. But nevertheless, Toews has already proved he is a leader and could most likely become a next generation Steve Yzerman, a Canadian leading an original six team. In leadership, Towes also takes the cake.

So there you have it, Toews should stay and Kane should go. And if this indeed happens, look for the Maple Leafs to try hard to get Kane, although Brian Burke would rather have Toews. But that debate is for another day. I think most people would support this point of view that I have put forward, but I am sure there are plenty of people who want to see Patrick Kane playing with his mouth guard in a Hawks uniform. So let’s hear it NHLEF readers! Would you rather have Jonathan Toews or Patrick Kane? NHLEF OUT