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Patrick Kane, a veteran of the Chicago Blackhawks, is likely approaching the end of his time with the team as the March 3 trade deadline approaches, but many are unsure of his exact destination. Many teams are reportedly interested in signing the 34-year-old right winger, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.
“I think Edmonton’s interested, and has reached out. I think Dallas has considered it,” Friedman stated. “I’ve wondered about Vegas, and my belief is Toronto wants to know whether or not it’s actually in the mix before considering anything.”
After being selected first overall in the 2007 NHL Draft, Kane has played his whole career with Chicago, where he has helped the team win three Stanley Cups in 2010, 2013, and 2015. After this season, he will be an unrestricted free agent because he is in the last year of an eight-year contract with a $10.5 million salary cap hit.
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Kane would need to waive his no-movement clause in order to effectuate a transfer, giving him the freedom to choose where he would go next. Those who are familiar with Kane “are convinced he’s still got plenty to offer and badly desires to show it somewhere else,” according to Friedman.
Regrettably, the New York Rangers were Kane’s main target, but they decided to sign right winger Vladimir Tarasenko from the St. Louis Blues last week instead. Kane was reportedly “stunned” by the Rangers’ agreement, according to Friedman, and he was very honest about his displeasure.
“If things were going to happen, that was a team I was definitely looking at,” Kane said after a practice last Friday. “It seems like they kind of filled their void and went ahead and made a deal. It is what it is”
Kane now has the responsibility of finding a different landing area. He is among the top players of his generation and has his pick of potential partners.
“If Patrick Kane is interested in you, you have to think about it,” a general manager told Friedman.
Forward Alex DeBrincat of the Senators is quite familiar with Patrick Kane of the Blackhawks. Furthermore, he is not now required to use the same degree of political judgment and word choice that Kane does. DeBrincat’s remarks on the issue on Thursday were perceptive and enlightening while everyone waits for Kane to determine whether — and then where — he is willing to be dealt with.
‘‘All things considered, it’s been tough for him,’’ said DeBrincat, whom the Hawks traded to the Senators last offseason. ‘‘A lot of his buddies got moved out last year, and he has been going through a little bit of the injury stuff.
‘‘I can’t say he probably wants to be in a rebuild right now — you guys can ask him that — [because] he’s so competitive. Being with him for so long, he’s a guy that wants to win every night. . . . [I’m] excited to see if he can find a new home and get comfortable there. That’s exciting for everyone in the league to watch.’’
Yet on Friday, Kane’s cautious manner lost him another potential suitor. The Maple Leafs executed a blockbuster trade for former Blues captain Ryan O’Reilly to erase themselves from the discourse, the same as how the Rangers accomplished it last week.
But, in terms of necessity, fit, and assets to execute a transaction, teams like the Golden Knights and Stars still make sense. With captain Mark Stone ($9.5 million) on a long-term injured reserve, the Knights like making eye-catching additions and have plenty of short-term salary-cap room. The Stars have been searching for a scoring wing to pair with Tyler Seguin, their second-line center.
Before to play against the Senators on Friday, Kane has gone four games without recording a point, which may have him feeling the weight of the decision. He argued that that wasn’t the case, though, and then proved it by tallying two goals in overtime to help the Hawks win 4-3.
