NEWSLETTER
With the NHL Draft and Kyle Davidson’s decision to trade Alex DeBrincat and Kirby Dach in the rearview mirror and free agency just days away, the future(s) of Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews will be something to watch closely. It’ll also be a story we hear discussed around the league.
We know that Colorado kicked the tires on Patrick Kane’s availability last season before the trade deadline. And this morning, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman shared his thoughts on the Avs revisiting that scenario if and when Kane becomes available this offseason.
“At some point in time, we’re going to get some clarity on Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews,” said Friedman. “I think they [Colorado] want it to breathe after the moves and the draft, but I do think that they’re going to talk to Chicago about their futures. Last year, Colorado was one of the teams that inquired about Patrick Kane before the trade deadline to see if he was available. If, and I stress this as an if, if Patrick Kane is available, I can see Colorado making another try for him. That’s my opinion, but I can see it.”
So, let’s be clear here, Friedman did not offer up any sourced information tying Kane to the Avs today. He simply believes in his mind that Colorado calling Kyle Davidson if and when Kane becomes available would be something he sees happening.
Scott Powers said in his latest column at The Athletic that he doesn’t believe that Kane and Toews have had a conversation with Kyle Davidson about their future yet, but also said that he believes that they only have about a week to let Davidson know they want to be traded if that is to happen before the start of the season. So, expect that conversation to occur soon, regardless of how it shakes out.
If Patrick Kane does choose to ask for a trade, he’ll likely want to go somewhere where he can win another Stanley Cup while he’s playing at an elite level. At this point, he’ll be a one-year rental at a steep $10.5 cap hit for the 2022-23 season. Colorado seems like an obvious fit for Kane if he asks The Blackhawks for a trade, something Powers believes will happen.
“Talking to people who know Kane, they’d be shocked if he chose to stay with the Blackhawks beyond the trade deadline. “They’ve basically traded everyone he’s ever enjoyed playing with,” one person said.”
That makes sense. We know Kane said he was alright with mentoring young players through a rebuild. We also know that he essentially hinged that desire on the continued ability to play alongside Alex DeBrincat. With DeBrincat gone, and Davidson’s sights set on a scorched earth rebuild, I bet Kane will want to be traded.
I’m sure there is much more to come this week on this story, so stay tuned.
