Chicago Blackhawks Rumors: Buffalo’s Evander Kane A Trade Target

Would the Chicago Blackhawks consider making a move for Buffalo’s Evander Kane? The rumor has surfaced, and it isn’t the first time

A rumor that was floated early on in the offseason was that the Chicago Blackhawks were looking to acquire a big winger to play with Patrick Kane. One of the names mentioned was that of Evander Kane.

The latter Kane makes sense in the role, as he is 6-foot-2 and 188 pounds. He plays with an edge and puts the puck in the net. He is also an impressive skater, which would help the Blackhawks in that area as well.

He would help Jonathan Toews or Patrick Kane on their lines. When the offseason came and went, though, Evander Kane was still in Buffalo. Thus far Evander Kane has not been signed to a contract extension. Could the Sabres still be looking to trade their Kane?

Jaeckel has been all over this story since the beginning and now it appears to be picking up some steam.  It now appears the Buffalo Sabres could be looking at the Blackhawks for a trade.

What would it take?

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My speculation is that the Buffalo Sabres’ scouts were looking at Vinnie Hinostroza as a trade target in a deal featuring Evander Kane. Based on his performances at Rockford, Hinostroza has proven that he is too good for the AHL. However, the ’Hawks do not feel like he can crack their lineup in the NHL.

He seems like the most likely candidate to be traded to Buffalo. Hinostroza would be a nice young piece to add to some of their core players in Ryan O’Reilly and Jack Eichel. In my opinion, this move helps the Hawks in the short term, but once again they would be trading away long-term assets for short-term gain.  That appears to be general manager Stan Bowman’s way of doing business.

If the Blackhawks acquired Evander Kane, they would be able to play him with Patrick Kane or with Toews’ line. If the ’Hawks acquire Evander Kane, however, they still have an extra player on the roster. That means either Jordan Oesterle or Tanner Kero must be waived to place Evander Kane on the roster. That means the Blackhawks could lose two players in a deal.

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I personally do not think this trade will go down because of Evander Kane’s issues off the ice. I also think the Blackhawks are better served in trying to acquire a defenseman. We will wait and see what Bowman does going forward.