Patrick Kane may not be ready to make a decision on his NHL playing future yet, but one will need to come in the next couple of weeks, and the Chicago Blackhawks are putting all of their ducks in a row in preparation for a potential trade ahead of the NHL trade deadline. Kane has been shown a list of teams who have expressed interest in a potential trade with the Blackhawks, but the sniper is not yet prepared to waive his no-movement clause to facilitate the deal.
Kane told reporters this week that the Blackhawks have shown him a list of teams that they have spoken to about a possible trade, but he maintains that he’s not ready to make a decision on his future yet and will likely wait until much closer to the March 3 deadline. He notes that he doesn’t mind the Blackhawks doing their research and gathering information, he’s just not ready to decide yet.
The winger is arguably one of the biggest names potentially available at this season’s, NHL trade deadline, and multiple teams will show interest despite the fact that his $10.5 million contract is a hurdle for many organizations that are tight against the NHL salary cap ceiling. If Kane waits until just hours before the deadline to decide, the Blackhawks need to have everything lined up with a third potential team coming in as a broker to make the money work in any trade scenario.
As for what teams are realistically in on Kane trade discussions, that remains to be seen. A number of organizations have been thrown out there in the rumor mill, but it’s not a given that clubs like the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, or Edmonton Oilers could afford him. It’s also not clear if Kane would wave to go to any of those clubs.
The forward noted, “We’ll figure out what team could be the best fit, but . . . it’s tough to decide if we’re getting to that point yet,” Kane said Monday. “There are definitely opportunities out there that are intriguing and could be exciting. We’ll see.”
David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reports: “In addition to Patrick Kane, I can confirm Jonathan Toews has also been presented with a list of teams that have expressed interest in trading for him. And like Kane, while things can change, no decision is expected until closer to the trade deadline.”
