The Chicago Blackhawks beat the San Jose Sharks 5-2 over the weekend, bringing their record to 1-2 on the young season. Already the team has actually looked better than advertised, but that still likely won’t be enough to keep them out of the bottom of the standings. The simple fact is that they are trying to lose, and even with some encouraging early performances (especially from captain Jonathan Toews), the team’s skill and depth have been stripped as they enter a full rebuild.
That continues to lead to questions about the future of Patrick Kane, who has just one point in those three games and is playing just 19 minutes a night. In discussion with Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, Kane’s agent Pat Brisson of CAA Sports compares the situation to the one that played out in Philadelphia last season with Flyers captain Claude Giroux. The superstar forward had played his whole career with one team, but it was obvious that there would not be a future between the two sides, and the Flyers weren’t going to be competitive.
Giroux eventually accepted a deal at the deadline, and that’s exactly the way it appears to be going with Kane. Brisson says they will “probably explore things at the appropriate time” later in the year, and once again confirmed that the Blackhawks have not and will not pressure his client into waiving his no-trade clause.
While LeBrun suggests that there could be some benefit in getting Kane earlier, it is important to remember the cap effects. Every day that passes means an acquiring team has more room to pay for the star winger, meaning more contenders could potentially enter the fray. With a full no-movement clause Kane will be in charge of the destination (as Giroux was), but perhaps teams that weren’t expected to be in the mix will emerge over the next few months.
Either way, it sounds as though there is a real chance that the market has a Hall of Fame prize this year, as Kane is still one of the very best offensive pieces in the league. Last season, he scored 26 goals and 92 points in 78 games, the third-best total of his career.
There is also the question of what happens after this season is over. In Giroux’s case, he took his family back home after a short trip in the sun and signed with the Ottawa Senators. Buffalo Sabres fans will certainly like the sounds of that, given Kane is from the city. He did also live in Detroit as a teenager, and the Red Wings are another emerging club. LeBrun points to the New York Rangers and New York Islanders as two teams who will likely have interest if he hits the market as a trade piece.
Regardless, this will be an interesting few months for hockey fans to keep an eye on the Blackhawks, even if they aren’t winning very many games.
Can we please quit talking about this. Every site, every tv station, that’s all I have been seeing/hearing. It is kind of a NON ISSUE until the trade deadline, don’t you think ? What team has cap space and is willing to give up good prospects this early in the seaon? Is Chicago willing to eat 50% of $10.5 million? Doubt it. With the season under way, there should be a whole lot more to talk about.
Hawks will eat half the salary if it means a greater return but I agree this is a non issue until at least the new year
You are talking about it. Why didn’t you wait until the trade deadline?
Kane WILL be traded to the NYR
With what salary cap space?
How do you know this?
At the dead line with Chicago keeping 50% or if before the deadline as a 3team trade with Chicago keeping 50%the other team picking up 25%
Why Kane didn’t choose where he wanted to go this off season when teams had money I’ll never know. It’s not like he can say he couldn’t see this coming. The Hawks made it perfectly clear they were going to try and stink this year. I haven’t been watching much for obvious reasons but it kinda sounds like he’s going through the motions. With Bowman handing out No Movement clauses like Candy on Halloween I would hope that Davidson is smart enough to not go that route in the future. Bowman was so stupid he gave everyone top pay AND No Movement clauses which is just stupid. If you get a NMC you should take a team friendly contract for the trade off. I think the Hawks at one time had like 7 guys on NMC’s which is ridiculous.
I wonder since the Blackhawks overall on Ice product has been watered down greatly because of the well advertised rebuild does that mean that ticket prices have decreased greatly? Isn’t it the right thing to do?
No it is not. Wilf, you seem to wonder more about hockey than you have ever known. This stuff is not that confusing but it seems to twist your brain in knots.