NHL Rumor Mill – October 17, 2022
The latest on Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, an update on Wayne Simmonds and a potentially interesting waiver option for the Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
LATEST ON KANE AND TOEWS
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports player agent Pat Brisson said his client, Patrick Kane, is taking a wait-and-see approach to this season. The 33-year-old winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane (NHL Images).
Brisson didn’t put a timeline on it, adding the Blackhawks won’t push Kane one way or the other. LeBrun indicated the plan is for management and Kane’s camp to revisit this issue around December or January to see where they are.
LeBrun noted the similarities between Kane’s situation and that of Brisson client Claude Giroux, who was shipped to the Florida Panthers by the Philadelphia Flyers before last season’s trade deadline. Noting the emotional toll it took on Giroux, LeBrun wonders if there might be a mutual desire between Kane and an interested club in getting a deal done well ahead of the March 3 trade deadline.
Kane’s teammate Jonathan Toews is another Brisson client. His declining performance could affect his trade value but his leadership and playoff experience remain respected by contenders.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: LeBrun also cited the $10.5 million cap hit of Kane and Toews as well as their full no-movement clauses. He thinks Kane could only approve two or three teams as trade destinations which will affect the type of return for the Blackhawks, though that could improve if they retain 50 percent of his cap hit. I daresay Toews would also have a small number of preferred destinations.
Media speculation has linked Kane to the Colorado Avalanche, Dalla Stars, Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders, New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs. However, there doesn’t appear to have been any serious trade talks. Those likely won’t happen until January at the earliest.
UPDATE ON SIMMONDS
TORONTO SUN: Lance Hornby reported Wayne Simmonds was recalled by the Maple Leafs along with Nick Robertson and Victor Mete after Matt Murray was placed on long-term injury reserve. Simmonds is happy to be back after clearing waivers on Monday but didn’t report to their AHL affiliate.
The Leafs allowed Simmonds to work out with “a satellite group of players” at Scotiabank Arena while they sought a trade that he would accept. The veteran winger is hoping to stay with the team as he doesn’t want to leave a contender for a rebuilding club.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Simmonds carries an affordable $900K for this season but also has a 10-team no-trade clause.
MILANO ON WAIVERS
MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marco D’Amico wonders if the Canadiens might attempt to claim Sonny Milano off waivers. The 26-year-old winger signed a one-year, $750K contract with the Washington Capitals and was placed on waivers yesterday for the purpose of sending him to their AHL affiliate in Hershey.
D’Amico suggests Milano could be a cheap, low-cost addition for the Canadiens. Prospect Juraj Slafkovsky looks like he could use some seasoning in the AHL while veterans Mike Hoffman and Evgenii Dadonov have failed to impress.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Canadiens pass on Milano another club might claim him now that he’s signed an affordable contract. We’ll find out later today.
I highly doubt a team will take on 50% of Toews contract, or even 1/3. he would be a 4th liner, at this point, on a contending team. Most contending teams won’t have the cap space to afford either option
I think he could be more with the right players around him, like a really good 3rd line C. Avs would be a really good fit, however if would ahve to include at a 50%, 50% price in cap. So I wonder if its possible
Agree. What good is leadership and playoff experience if you can no longer play at the level needed to be successful in the playoffs.
I see a 25% of cap situation as possible, where CHI trades him to rebuilding Team B, retaining 50% of his cap hit, and Team B trade him to contending Team C, retaining 50% of the cap hit that is remaining. Contending Team C then give assets to CHI and Team B, and get Toews for 25% of his current cap hit.
Same could happen for Kane, but he has more value, IMO, so the above scenario probably wouldn’t be required
Many high end older players like Toews seem to embrace higher quality wingers when they get to a contender and together they can sometimes be very productive. Teams signed Jumbo Joe and his wheels have been flat for awhile.
Now that Kane’s agent has stated that nothing will happen until December or January can these almost daily updates cease?
Trade rumors regarding Patrick Kane will be duly noted here as long as the media keeps speculating or reporting about it, Rob. Cheers!
Also how else are rumors are to become reality? You need to repeat rumors and wishes over and over again until it happens…that’s how it works ya know?
😂
Yep. Or else Lyle would have named it and restricted it to “Only Rumors That Have Been Finalized”
Wouldn’t they cease to be rumors then?😵💫
In fact it might be in lyles best interest to create a whole other page specifically talking about finalized rumors. Maybe something you read with a hot beverage in the morning…
Why, that’s a great idea! I could call it NHL Morning Coffee…hey, wait a minute!
I enjoyed that boys.
Is anyone keeping track of how many times it’s been reported that Patrick Kane is taking a wait-and-see approach and not being pushed by the blackhawks?
I’ll leave that in your capable hands, Nasdaq. 😉
In case nobody is watching, Toews has 2 goals in 1st 3 games. Agree with above comment about 3rd team being involved in Toews or Kane trade. Both had bonuses paid out at start of league year and have an actual salary of 2.9 m left. It’ll get lower as season progresses. I see Arizona as a perfect team to take some of that cap hit.
Toews isn’t going to carry a 1st or 2nd line anymore, but he’d be better than a lot of 3rd line centers on most contending teams. Creative cap maneuvering will be the key to acquiring Toews for a playoff run. I think it will happen, but probably closer to the deadline.
I see Kane getting traded earlier as he can still really drive offense for a team.