Rumors: Will Jonathan Toews and/or Patrick Kane be Moved?

The Chicago Blackhawks are in a free fall at the moment, picking up only 2 of a possible 12 points in the last 6 games. At the same time, their two aging stars are still Chicago's top two scorers. Patrick Kane and captain Jonathan Toews still have full no movement clauses (something they earned) so any interest is pointless without their approval. That's always something to keep in mind, but let's have a little fun here.

Toews, for one, has been a welcome sight as his overall play has been tremendous. You could make a strong arguement that he has been the Blackhawk's best player so far this season. Patrick Kane is slightly younger and is still a top notch wing in the league and thusly should command a hefty return, should he allow it.

According to @Frank_Seravalli (Frank Seravalli of www.dailyfaceoff.com)*, Toews and Kane are currently the 2nd and 3rd highest rated trade targets on his board (11-22-22). Jonathan Toews I would venture is garnering more interest of late due to his strong two way play, his faceoff dominance, and his off-ice leadership. Any contending team would surely be interested in the 3 time cup winning center.

While Patrick Kane's numbers are a little down (14pts in 18 games) most teams must realize it's due to not having a gifted line around him. Still, I would think most GMs would jump at the chance to pair him with their top 2 lines (of playoff caliber teams).

So whom will go after them? For me, the Avalanche will go after one if not both of them. Would they give up young C Alex Newhook? I don't know, that would be a hard give if they did decide to rent a Kane or Toews(or Newhook for a decade in a top 6 role). If I had to guess, I'd say Winnipeg, Boston, Toronto, Carolina, and Colorado will go after Jonathan Toews. I know there are issues with the cap taking on a 10.5m salary, but I firmly believe Kyle Davidson will make any money problem work by taking on a bad deal for an extra asset.

What about Patrick Kane? I still think that the Aves will make an offer along with the Rangers, Islanders, Devils, Oilers, and perhaps the Lightning. Who wouldn't want him after all!

Dream packages for the two? For me I'd love to get Alex Newhook for Jonathan Toews. A creative deal would be to trade Jack Johnson (back to Colorado whom he won the Stanley Cup with last season) along with Jonathan Toews to Colorado for C Alex Newhook and 3rd pairing veteran D Erik Johnson. This deal would almost be even money if the Hawks would pick up 50% of the remaining salary on Toews final year. It would be a gamble for Colorado, but one that would increase their % of going back to back. Chicago would immediately have a top 6 player for years to come. It would be a no-brainer from a Blackhawk perspective.

In terms of Patrick Kane, I think there is one prevailing type of deal that I keep going back to. A young forward, a 2023 1st, and a 2024 2nd (that turns into a 1st if Kane extends) is where I'd draw a line in the sand with any Kane deal. That could mean Kappo Kakko, their 1st, and a future 2nd from the Rangers. That could mean Dylan Jarvis and a 1st from the Hurricanes. Perhaps an Oliver Wahlstrom and 1st/2nd package from the Isles. Or maybe, just maybe the Oilers say here is the farm for Patrick Kane so we make sure and acquire him. I would think a Dylan Holloway, Markus Niemelainen, 2023 1st and 2nd, and 2025 3rd would make Davidson jump for joy.

Take all this conjecture with a grain salt, but make no mistake these rumors won't go away until after the March deadline. I expect the Blackhawks to stay in and among the bottom 10 point % teams until then, which may end up being more than our two stars can bear.

*You can find Frank Seravalli at www.dailyfaceoff.com