With the Chicago Blackhawks deciding to rebuild halfway through their previous rebuild, speculation has run rampant about all-time great Patrick Kane’s future with the team. If dealt, he’d be one of the best players and biggest names traded in the past few seasons, joining blockbuster deals like the Jack Eichel and Erik Karlsson trades. However, TSN’s Darren Dreger today pumped the brakes on trade rumors, saying that Kane’s camp “remains undecided” and that any rumors at this point are purely speculative.
At 33 years old, Kane still has 100-point potential while logging heavy minutes. He hasn’t hit that mark since posting 110 points in 2018-19, but he’s stayed well above a point-per-game pace since then on a continually struggling Blackhawks squad. One of the most decorated American-born players of all time, his playing ability still remains very close to his prime.
It’s because of that fact that a potential trade seems so realistic to fans around the league. It would’ve seemed a guarantee just a few seasons ago that Kane would remain a Blackhawk for life, but as the team failed to rebuild quickly (or properly in the slightest) and management changed hands drastically, no one would blame him for not wanting to waste the last few seasons of his peak on a sinking ship.
With or without Kane, Chicago figures to be a bottom-five team next year with little doubt. Trading him could, however, end up being the difference between a top-five selection and the 2023 first overall selection, which would land them a potentially generational center in Connor Bedard.
Just one season away from unrestricted free agency, it could make a lot of sense for Chicago to deal him ahead of the season too. While they might not get as high of a return without an extension in place for Kane with his new team, it could open the door for him to return to the team in 2023-24 to potentially usher Bedard into the league if they do land the top pick.
Regardless, Kane’s choice will be an important one to watch as the offseason progresses. He’ll still command a fair bit of salary cap space even if Chicago does retain salary, unless the acquiring team wishes to pay a third team extra assets in order to retain additional salary.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
I can’t imagine being a blackhawks fan…. Your team goes from championship to a horrific dumpster fire. Trading Debricat!?!? And now the probability of Kane moving? No guarantee on that Bedard pick! They are going to look back in a few years and realize these moves weren’t worth it.
especially if they lose the Bédard sweepstakes who are also trying to light the house on fire, just faster
No they wont. These moves are doing everything they intended these moves to do, make people forget about the sexual assault and their reaction to it.
These moves are working perfectly
There’s that saying for teams in a title drought, “just one before I die”…they had a nice run and grabbed 3 in a few years, they’ll be ok and nobody will be feeling sorry for them.
Oh you are so lucky to be anything BUT a Hawk fan. Simply unbelievable.
It’s really not so bad. They won three cups. Had a great run. If Bowman hadn’t been terrible at drafting and trading and signing contracts, maybe they’d be where the Lightning are, but it’s not to be. The Cat trade made sense. Many in Chicago think he wasn’t going to resign and wanted to play for a competitive team, which they’re not going to be for at least a few years. The return was underwhelming, but it seems some teams might’ve been scared off by the likelihood that he’ll test free agency no matter what.
Maybe the moves won’t be worth it, but you have to try. This team needed to be blown up years ago. Instead, Bowman kept trying to take one more run at it. Bedard’s no guarantee, but this is also supposed to be an exceedingly deep draft with three high end talents at the top, so they’ll have a decent chance of at least restocking their empty cupboard.
I hope that’s sarcasm, otherwise you need to take off the tin foil hat lol.
Well lago407 tell us what you really think of Bowman.
I was not being sarcastic. One man destroyed a great team.
They can only move him if he wants it to happen, and at this point who would blame him, Toews, or anyone for wanting out. As a hawks fan it would hurt to lose them, but the past few years have been painful to watch the team struggle. This summer is just icing on the cake. Time to pad those legacies and move on. Ain’t no way they sell tickets without them on the team which will mean less revenue to build with, so get ready for a long drought.
Seth Jones is probably super disappointed right now
Detroit still has cap space to add Jones……
Hronek + Zadina + Blue’s 2nd and 2024 2nd for Jones.
@johnny z
Not worth it
Bite your tongue! That’s 2 2nds and two players to flip for more picks when they do the rebuild of the rebuild for this rebuild on top of the last rebuild!
For Seth Jones?! Done deal. No retention and no take backs.
If he really loves Chicago, he would agree to a trade so the Hawks could add the assets gained to shorten the rebuild. Just sign short 1 or 2 year contracts if he wishes to return. H probably has 4-5 yrs of playing left in him, barring injury.
the issue is the big cap hit and 1 year term
more likely he gets moved at the trade deadline when his cap hits not as significant
Not really:
Hawks get Kakko + 2023 Rangers 2nd + 2024 NYR 2nd Hawks retain $5.25M of Kane’s salary
Detroit gets Avs 3rd from NYR, Wing’s retain $2.625 of Kane’s salary
NYR gets Kane at $2.625M
NYR spends Kakko, 2 2nd’s and a 3rd for Patrick Freakin’ Kane!!!
Why would Detroit pay 2.625 for a 3rd rd pick?
I would like a trade with the Rangers for Kane, just cause they are loaded with young, talented players up and down the roster. And Kane gets to play with Panerin again.
Part of me also would like Kane to Buffalo, but not sure the assets are there.
You seem new to hockey, and to sports in general, but players tend to not worry about the team they are leaving when being traded.
They got a 4th in the Savard deal to Tampa. Retained $2,125,000