Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said he expects a Patrick Kane trade decision ‘soon’ as the March 3 trade deadline approaches.
Kane, 34, is in the final season of the eight-year, $84M contract he signed in the 2014 off-season, and his no-movement clause means he won’t be going anywhere of which he doesn’t approve.
“Patrick has done a lot for the organization,” Davidson told reporters on Sunday. “He’s done a tremendous amount for the city. And he deserves the leeway to make the right decision for himself, and so we’re gonna give him that space. But when we do get to a conclusion, one way or the other, it’ll be through a partnership and collaborative decision-making process.
“I’m assuming [Kane’s decision is] going to be soon,” Davidson added. “The idea that there not being a decision reached is looked negatively on by us — I just want to dispel that notion. That’s not at play here.”
Also on Sunday, the Blackhawks announced that captain Jonathan Toews will not be traded ahead of this year’s deadline as he deals with multiple health issues.
Toews and Kane have been the faces of the Chicago Blackhawks franchise since their rookie seasons in 2007-08. The Blackhawks are embracing a rebuild and Kane is the most valuable trade piece in their arsenal.
Kane has 11 goals and 37 points in 51 games this season, ranking second to Max Domi on the Blackhawks in scoring. The three-time Stanley Cup champion is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
The St. Louis Blues, Chicago’s Central Division rival, have already kicked off the race to the 2023 trade deadline by selling off key pieces in Vladimir Tarasenko and Ryan O’Reilly. The returns the Blues garnered from those two veteran players have already raised some eyebrows in Chicago.
In his recent Trade Targets article, Daily Faceoff hockey insider Frank Seravalli listed the Vegas Golden Knights, Los Angeles Kings, New Jersey Devils, and Dallas Stars as teams that could be possible suitors for Kane on the trade market.
Through 1,158 career games with the Blackhawks since being drafted first overall in 2007, Kane has collected 441 goals and 1,217 points.
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