Blackhawks Winger Patrick Kane's Updated Landing Spots Amid NHL Trade Rumors
Sitting at No. 6 on our February Trade Block Big Board, Patrick Kane has been a fixture in this season's NHL rumor mill. Most of that speculation linked the 34-year-old Chicago Blackhawks star to the New York Rangers, who lacked a skilled, experienced scoring right winger.
The Rangers, however, acquired Vladimir Tarasenko last week from the St. Louis Blues. Kane was displeased by the move. "It's not like the happiest I've been to hear about a trade," he told reporters the following day. "The Rangers I definitely pay attention to [and am] intrigued by, for obvious reasons."
Those obvious reasons, of course, encompass whatever playoff contenders are interested in acquiring Kane. The long-time Chicago star is slated to become an unrestricted free agent July 1. He carries an average annual value of $10.5 million plus a full no-movement clause, giving him complete control over his preferred trade destinations.
Kane hasn't tipped his hand on whether he'll agree to be traded or which clubs interest him, though he also confirmed the Rangers were among the teams he'd hoped to go to if he were moved before the March 3 trade deadline.
ESPN's Emily Kaplan (h/t NBC Sports Chicago's Charlie Roumeliotis) reported the Rangers were concerned over Kane's nagging lower-body injury. However, the winger has repeatedly downplayed the issue, saying he feels better this season than in 2021-22 when he tallied 92 points in 78 games.
Kane's production is down this season with 35 points in 50 games, which could be due to Chicago's depleted roster. On a deeper team, the former Art Ross Trophy winner could regain his high-scoring ways.
On Nov. 15, B/R's Adam Gretz listed five teams that could assemble the best trade packages to land Kane. With the Rangers off the table, here's our look at five updated landing spots for the Chicago right winger.
Carolina Hurricanes
1 of 5
The indefinite loss of Max Pacioretty to a torn Achilles leaves the Carolina Hurricanes in need of an experienced scoring winger. With Pacioretty on long-term injured reserve, the Hurricanes have $10.1 million in projected trade-deadline cap space to pursue a winger or a second-line center.
Kane would be a good fit at right wing for the Hurricanes. He's a proven postseason performer with three Stanley Cups as well as the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2013. In 136 career playoff games, he's tallied 52 goals and 80 assists for 132 points.
That experience plus his leadership skills as an alternate captain in Chicago could be just what the Hurricanes need to stage a serious run for the Stanley Cup this spring. They can afford to take on the remainder of his $10.5 million cap hit, though they could get Chicago to retain up to half of it for the right offer.
Chicago general manager Kyle Davidson is rebuilding his club. He'll likely seek a first-round pick and a high-quality prospect, such as defenseman Scott Morrow or center Jack Drury as part of the return. He could also look at a young roster player such as Jesperi Kotkaniemi being included in the deal.
Colorado Avalanche
2 of 5
A lack of a reliable second-line center had the Colorado Avalanche linked to Chicago's Jonathan Toews and Montreal's Sean Monahan in our February NHL Trade Block Big Board. On Dec. 6, B/R's Joe Yerdon included the Avalanche among the speculative destinations for St. Louis Blues center Ryan O'Reilly.
If the Avalanche can't find that second-line center, perhaps they'll look at bolstering their scoring punch by adding Kane at right wing. On Nov. 27, The Athletic's Mark Lazerus imagined Kane would love to skate alongside Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon. That combination could help the Avalanche repeat as Stanley Cup champions.
Finding sufficient salary-cap space could be difficult for the Avalanche if sidelined captain Gabriel Landeskog (knee) returns before the end of this season. If he's out until the playoffs, however, they'll have $6.5 million in projected cap space. Like every club on this list, they could ask Chicago to retain a portion of Kane's cap hit for the right price.
With no second- or third-round picks in 2023 and 2024, the Avs could be reluctant to part with their first-rounders in those drafts. Perhaps they could offer their 2024 pick on the condition that it could slide to 2025, depending on where they finish in the standings. The Avs will likely also have to give up a prospect or two, such as Sean Behrens or Jean-Luc Foudy.
Dallas Stars
3 of 5
On Nov. 29, TSN's Darren Dreger reported the Dallas Stars were in the market for a "luxury item" such as a top-six forward to skate alongside Tyler Seguin and Mason Marchment on their second line. Maybe general manager Jim Nill will give consideration to adding Kane.
The Stars are sitting atop the Western Conference standings and aren't facing pressure to add someone like Kane. Nevertheless, he could be a good fit on their second line, with Seguin moving back to center. He could provide them with an additional level of offense and playoff experience to make them a more dangerous Cup contender.
Salary-cap space would be an issue for the Stars, as they have just $1.7 million in projected deadline cap room. Assuming Chicago retains half of Kane's cap hit, Dallas would have to get a third team to broker the deal and spread out his remaining hit. Still, the Stars have to shed a salary to take him on, maybe by offering goalie Anton Khudobin and his expiring contract.
The Stars could offer another player on an expiring deal such as struggling winger Denis Gurianov as part of the return. Their 2023 first-round pick could belong to the Rangers, so they might have to part with their 2024 pick. A promising player such as Mavrik Bourque, Thomas Harley or Lian Bichsel could also be part of the deal.
New Jersey Devils
4 of 5
The New Jersey Devils would be a good fit for San Jose Sharks winger Timo Meier. If that deal fails to materialize, perhaps Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald would consider adding a rental winger such as Kane.
Per The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun, Fitzgerald has indicated his preference for a top-six winger whose contract he can control beyond this season. However, the Devils look like they could be a Stanley Cup contender. Adding someone with Kane's experience and leadership could do wonders for this club's young core. If he fits in well, New Jersey could re-sign him.
The Devils carry $2 million in projected deadline cap space. They'll have to get the Blackhawks to retain half of Kane's cap hit and perhaps even include a third club to broker the deal and spread the dollars around. They could also ask Chicago to acquire sidelined goalie Jonathan Bernier's $4.1 million cap hit.
With a deep prospect pool, the Devils can make an enticing bid for Kane. A package of a first-round pick, a promising roster forward such as Alexander Holtz and a prospect such as Seamus Casey or Shakir Mukhamadullin could prove tempting for Chicago.
Vegas Golden Knights
5 of 5
Since joining the NHL in 2017, the Vegas Golden Knights have earned a reputation for making bold moves. Current players such as Mark Stone, Jack Eichel and Shea Theodore were all acquired via the trade market.
With Stone out indefinitely because of back surgery, the Golden Knights have a glaring need for a first-line right winger. Heading into play Thursday, they held first place in a tight Pacific Division race, with just seven points separating them from fifth place. Failure to find a suitable replacement for Stone could send them tumbling down the standings and out of playoff contention.
Kane won't replace Stone's two-way abilities. However, his offensive skills should make him a solid fit alongside first-line center Eichel, giving the Golden Knights a strong one-two scoring punch. If Stone is out for the rest of the regular season, they can garner additional salary-cap flexibility by placing him and his $9.5 million hit on long-term injury reserve.
The Golden Knights could include a first-round pick as well as one of their two third-rounders in this year's draft in an offer for Kane. They could also include a goalie prospect such as Carl Lindblom or a forward prospect such as Zach Dean.
Stats (as of Thursday) via NHL.com, salary and line combination info via CapFriendly and prospect info via The Athletic.
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