Blackhawks Sign Toews and Kane to Eight-Year Extensions

The Chicago Blackhawks went a long way toward securing their future by re-signing Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. The deals were for eight years apiece at an estimated $10.5 million per year.

The two are by far the best two players on the Blackhawks and two of the best in the league. Much has been said about the two since Toews was drafted third in 2006 and Kane first on 2007.

The Blackhawks front office in particular Stan Bowman the general manager knew how important securing the foundation of the current Chicago team was and succeeded with the signing of both Kane and Toews.

Both contracts are heavily front-loaded and include signing bonuses of $44 million. In 2009, the duo agreed to matching $31.5 million 5-year extensions that would have expired at the end of the next NHL season.

Toews in a prepared statement said he was grateful to be a member of the Blackhawks, which he said is such a great organization to play for. Kane’s words were similar to those of Toews. He thanked the organization and the fans.

Chicago has won the Stanley cup twice, reached the finals in the Western Conference four times and made six straight appearances in the playoffs since the two started playing for the team in 2007.

Kane in his career has scored 178 goals and handed out 315 assists in his 515 career games in the regular season, with another 37 goals and 54 assists over 93 career playoff games.

Kane won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2008 and the Conn Smythe in 2013.

Toews is 26 and has 195 goals with 245 assists in his 484 regular season games with Chicago. He has another 29 goals as well as 52 assists in his 94 career playoffs games.

Toews has been awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2010 and the Frank Selke Trophy in 2013.

Toews has also been the captain of the Blackhawks since the start of the 2008 season.

Franchise player money is small in the NHL in comparison to other major sports. Toews and Kane use the same agent who was helpful and moving the contract extension process along.

The actual negotiations for the two franchise players were relatively easy, as the Blackhawks did not want their two best players get away.

The deal does not start until the beginning of the 2015-16 season, but at this point, the two would have the highest cap hits amongst player in the NHL at $10.5 million, which is close to $4 million over their current contracts.

Even though the two players will have the largest annual cap hits with their new contracts, the fans in Chicago are far from complaining. The two players are an example of the type of athlete Chicagoans want.

Toews is a two-way player who as captain leads by example. Kane is the opposite, a flashier showboat type, and scorer who grabs the headlines.

However, for the Blackhawks organization and its fans, there could be no better duo to have on the team.

With two Stanley Cups since the two arrived, six consecutive seasons leading the league in attendance, ratings and merchandise sales, the money is well spent on the two, say fans across the Windy City.