Patrick Kane is optimistic about how the Blackhawks' power play looked Saturday. The unit went 1-for-5, scoring on a 5-on-3 situation. Chicago was 25th in the league in power play efficiency despite possessing some pretty skilled forwards. "We have to get a little chemistry and move it around a little bit," Kane said. "It's a good start. Hopefully, it will come better than last year. With the focus we have on it this year and how important it's going to be, it's definitely something we need to improve, and I think we will throughout the year."

Speaking for the entire NHL universe, Patrick Kane said he's excited to get the season started. The Blackhawks open up against the defending-champion Kings on Saturday in what should be an immediate measuring stick for them. "It's exciting," winger Patrick Kane said. "It's kind of been a long time waiting but I think we're all excited to be here in L.A. and start the hockey season. It's a big game for us to start, especially against a good team that had a successful season last year. We just want to get the season off the right way and make sure we come out flying."

Patrick Kane thinks that his stint in Switzerland will be a benefit to him going into the shortened season. "I think it's going to be big for me," Kane said. "Before I came back, I played eight games in 10 days, or something like that. At one point, it was five in five nights. It was really good for my conditioning and skating and everything, and you're playing on a bigger ice. I'm glad I did it. It was a good experience, and hopefully it'll help during the season." Kane had 13 goals and 23 points in 20 Swiss games. Look for him to be about a point-per-game player in 2013.

Patrick Kane thinks that the Chicago Blackhawks need to work at being more successful with the man advantage this season. "Even just looking at a couple years ago on the Stanley Cup [run], my point production was pretty much the same 5-on-5 as it was last year, but the power play was about 20 more points," he said. "It's a huge part of our offense, and obviously last year it wasn't very good. It's probably one of the reasons we didn't do as well throughout our season. It's something we'll have to fix a little bit." Chicago ranked near the bottom of the NHL with their power-play success rate last season. They weren't anything special with the man advantage during the 2009-10 regular season, but they had an impressive 22.5% success rate in the 2010 postseason en route to winning the Stanley Cup.

Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks may be perceived as a superstar by most but Chicago Tribune columnist Steve Rosenbloom suggests the high-profile forward would be good trade bait with the shortened NHL season about to begin. "Condensed seasons create some sloppy play," Rosenbloom writes."Mistakes come from fatigue. Special teams become vital. If (Jonathan) Toews or (Marian) Hossa suffers a concussion again -- and I think it's unavoidable for at least one of them -- then the Hawks' penalty killing could cost them games. The lack of total top-end talent could cost them a playoff spot.That's why you have to think about trading Kane. I know he has wondrous puck skills at times, and I know he is a fan favorite. This has nothing to do with the face of the franchise laying face-down on a bar. This has everything to do with making the team better by getting a quality player at a more important position. The angry post-lockout environment could be a great time to deal him, too."

Patrick Kane had a goal and an assist in Biel's 5-4 victory over Tigers. Kane has 13 goals and 23 points in 20 Swiss games this season. His time in Switzerland should give him an edge over some of the other locked-out NHLers if the season is saved.

Patrick Kane helped Davos beat Vitkovice 5-4 on Sunday, moving his team into a Spengler Cup final matchup with Canada (which is scheduled for Monday). Kane had two goals in the contest, including the game-winner. He's no stranger to playing against Canada in final matchups, as he factored considerably in the 2010 Olympic gold medal game.

Patrick Kane netted two goals for Biel, but it wasn't enough in a 4-3 shootout loss to Kloten. The Chicago winger now has nine markers and 17 points in 15 Swiss League games. His lockout teammate and Boston forward Tyler Seguin had a helper in the match. Seguin leads the league with 24 goals and he is tied for third with 39 points in 27 contests.

Former Chicago star Jeremy Roenick believes that Patrick Kane is ready to dominate the NHL. Roenick stated in an ESPN interview that Kane was one of the NHL's most talented players and that he was is in excellent physical shape after playing in Switzerland. Roenick did say that Kane has to remember to watch what he does in public because with social media the way it is, eyes are everywhere. He went on to say that Kane as a representative of the Blackhawks will have to remember he is being watched. That said, Roenick stated that Kane's off ice problems have been merely growing pains and he fully expects the young Hawks' star to get through them.

Patrick Kane will probably head back to Switzerland if the lockout doesn't end soon. Kane already has his plane ticket. "It would be nice not to have to go back Sunday and just . stay here and get ready for a training camp," Kane said. "Right now, I'm scheduled to go back. It's something you don't want to do; you want (the lockout) to be over and done with. It's an experience I'll never forget, but life is much better here in the States and in Chicago." Kane has seven goals and 15 points in 14 games with the Swiss National League A's HC Biel.