As the Chicago Blackhawks embark on a rebuild, these 3 teams should be ready to help with a trade offer for Patrick Kane.
The Chicago Blackhawks announced they are heading into what could be considered an overdue rebuild earlier this week. But in the same breath, general manager Stan Bowman suggested the remaining “Core Four” from the Stanley Cup years–Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook–don’t necessarily automatically want out after a meeting that included them.
Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic and TSN has backed that up, reporting the Blackhawks intend to keep the four veterans as part of a core that will emerge from the rebuilding phase. Toews, Kane and Keith have no-movement clauses, which is a big factor. They won’t be moved unless they want to be.
That said, the Blackhawks have essentially declared themselves open for business. They only made the playoffs this past season because of the expanded format, and it would be three straight non-playoff seasons otherwise. Nothing will stop teams from having interest in the four notable vets, particularly Kane and Toews.
Kane remains a very productive player, with 84 points (33 goals, 51 assists) in 70 games last season while playing more than 21 minutes per game. He’s coming up on his 32nd birthday (Nov. 19), but a serious decline does not seem to be coming.
Kane has the power to pick his destination. These three teams should be preparing a trade offer.
This is an easy one, as Kane (and Toews, for that matter) may be interested in reuniting with coach Joel Quenneville in Florida. Quenneville was behind the bench for all three of Chicago’s Stanley Cup wins (2010, 2013, 2015). The Panthers could certainly use some scoring punch, with Mike Hoffman likely to land elsewhere in free agency, and Kane’s playoff experience would be helpful.
Florida made the playoffs in Quenneville’s first season, but they were dispatched quickly by the New York Islanders in the qualifying round (3 games to 1). A win-now window while Quenneville’s the coach is automatic and obvious, so a push to make moves to foster the next step are natural and new GM Bill Zito may leave few stones unturned.
If Chicago would retain some of Kane’s salary ($10.5 million cap hit for the next three years), that would open up some different trade possibilities. But the Panthers may be willing to move a notable player too.