Patrick Kane and Jonathon Toews are ready to take the Chicago Blackhawks to the next level.

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Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks (file photo).

Photograph by : Getty Images

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The pair were finalists for the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's top rookie last year - Kane won it - and helped the Hawks come to within three points of a playoff berth. In the process they helped re-ignite a passion for hockey in the Windy City.

"Everything seems to be going our way right now," Kane told the USA Today. "From season ticket sales, to free agent signings, to ownership, having the Winter Classic (at Wrigley Field), to having our home games on TV. Now all we have to do is go out and play."

Kane led the team in scoring with 21 goals and 51 assists in 82 games, while Toews was third with 24 goals and 30 assist in only 64 games and was named team captain in the off-season.

"I'm not covering up the fact that I have a lot to learn and I'm going to make that clear to the guys at the start of the year," Toews told the USA_Today. "If I'm doing something they don't agree with, they just need to talk to me. I want everything out in the open."

Blackhawks general manager Dale Tallon said the team has an "aura" around it when Toews is on the ice, but he also cautioned against putting too much pressure on his rising stars.

"I just hope we don't put too great of expectations on these kids," Tallon said. "It's not going to be easy in the second year."