Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen interjected: “It should be noted that Patrick Kane had a couple of his best seasons of his career, too, playing with Artemi. So it goes both ways.”
Kekalainen is right. Kane won the Hart Trophy as league MVP with an NHL-best 106 points in 2015-16 and tied for second in the league last season with 89 points, the second-highest output of his career – all while playing with Panarin on the left wing and Artem Anisimov at center.
When the Hawks traded Panarin to the Blue Jackets for Brandon Saad in June, they turned back the clock not only in bringing back Saad for a second stint, but also for Kane, who enters this season as he did every season before Panarin’s arrival – not knowing who his linemates will be.
“I don’t think you’re worried about it yet,” Kane said. “It’s still early in camp, a lot of things can happen. I wouldn’t say I’m at square one.
“I feel like I have known chemistry with Anisimov, and it seems like myself and (forward Nick) Schmaltz are building some chemistry right now too. Whoever is on your line that day, try to create some chemistry and see if you can’t find something.”
That philosophy applied to Kane’s career with the Hawks before he, Panarin and Anisimov formed one of the NHL’s most prolific lines.
Captain Jonathan Toews saw his production drop with a rotating cast of linemates the last two seasons, but Kane’s didn’t waver when his linemates were in flux. With Saad back to provide a boost for Toews, the Hawks – who open their exhibition schedule Tuesday against the Blue Jackets in Columbus – are hoping Kane can have years like he had in 2013-14 and 2014-15. He was scoring around a point per game in those seasons before injuries cut his regular seasons short.
In some ways, the sorting-out process is invigorating for Kane, who said he can draw confidence from his past ability to produce with different teammates.
“Sometimes even the last couple of years, your favourite shifts are going out with the fourth-line guys when a forward is hurt,” Kane said. “You can draw off that too. I’m just playing the game I’m accustomed to, try to develop chemistry with your linemates as time goes along and talk about things you can utilise during the game.
“With (Panarin) there was obvious chemistry there. But he’s gone now ... and hopefully you can create something here with someone else.”
Kane has played every day of camp so far with Schmaltz, who centered Kane and prospect Alex DeBrincat the last few days.
“He just thinks the game at a higher end,” Schmaltz said, “and I just try to use my speed through the middle to create space for him and try to get him the puck as much as I can.”
There has been a noticeable connection between Kane and Schmaltz, whose playmaking ability began to emerge late last season after a stint in Rockford. Coach Joel Quenneville has liked what he has seen from Schmaltz and Kane together, meaning Anisimov could be in line for the third-line center role to balance the lineup.
“(Kane) has that great ability, not just to produce with whoever he’s with, but he makes guys better,” Quenneville said. “He has a hockey IQ that’s off the charts. You have guys that have that same type of vision and anticipation, and all of a sudden you get them together for a while, things develop to a different level, which is great to watch and enjoy.”
Kane is hopeful his output will rival what he did the last two seasons but said he’ll try not to sweat the numbers.
“When you start playing with numbers, you might get yourself in trouble,” Kane said. “I find I play my best when I just go out there looking to get the puck and create chances.” No matter who plays with him.