At one point in time, the Chicago Blackhawks were the premiere powerhouse in the Western Conference. They shared that power in the early 2010s with the Los Angeles Kings. While capturing three Stanley Cups and being a dynasty, those days are all but gone. Chicago is entering unfamiliar territory. The Chicago Blackhawks star players are entering that as well.
The two-star players are captain Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. Both players have spent their entire careers with the Blackhawks and played significant parts in winning those Stanley Cups. But with the team entering a tear-down, could the two-star players get traded?
Chicago Blackhawks Could Trade Two Star Players
Rumour: Scott Powers from The Athletic discusses the situation surrounding Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane
The Chicago Blackhawks are entering a tear-down. It has gotten to the point where they will be a top candidate to land Connor Bedard in the upcoming draft. What a gift that would be. Chicago has already dealt forwards Kirby Dach, Brandon Hagel, and Alex DeBrincat. All of these players are young and would be complete building blocks. It makes you wonder what the plan is. Now the attention is turned to the Chicago Blackhawks star players. Do they keep them? Are they part of the rebuild? Or is a trade on the horizon?
The Situation Surrounding The Team
As mentioned, a full-scale rebuild is underway in Windy City. The star players can either be part of it or be on their way out. According to Powers, the situation surrounding the players is quite simple. As it stands, neither player has asked General Manager Kyle Davidson for a trade nor had Davidson asked Kane and Toews to waive their no-movement clauses. Both players have one year remaining with a $10.5 million dollar cap hit. Despite seeing all the moves being made, no trades have been asked for therefore keeping the two in Chicago to begin the year.
The Star Players Could Be Traded
Despite them getting up there in age, they are both playing good hockey. Regardless of the state of the team, Kane is coming off a monster season. In 78 games, he scored 26 goals, 66 assists, and 92 points. Toews is coming back from injury and this season he saw himself score 37 points in 71 games. May not be the elite centre he once was, but good hockey remains in the tank. Even though a trade has not been requested now, the trade deadline could present a different set of circumstances. It remains to be seen if either player will want to sign an extension with the club or sign elsewhere when they hit the open market. Toews has been vocal about the direction of the team, and being part of a long rebuild does not sound appealing.
EXCLUSIVE- According to Jonathan Toews, Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson is eyeing a five-plus-year process to rebuild.
"That part of it doesn’t sound appealing to me at all."
What's next for the Chicago captain?@MarkLazerus has more.https://t.co/LxArOTnFYd pic.twitter.com/S1tGRCgMR5
— The Athletic NHL (@TheAthleticNHL) July 26, 2022
The Blackhawks may need to retain their salary in any move they make. And even though the players will begin the year in Chicago, there is a good possibility they end the year in another team’s jersey. There will be plenty of suitors, especially for Kane who has rumours already having him placed with the New York Rangers.
Final Thoughts On The Players
It remains to be seen what the Blackhawks do with their star players. Both are Blackhawks legends and brought a winning tradition back to Chicago. But all good things must come to an end. After all the team has been through and at the stage of their careers they are in, wanting to contend and be on a more competitive team should not come as a surprise.
Both players would want to contend and depending on how the year begins, a different tune could be singing midway through the season.
