NHL Rumor Mill – December 28, 2022
The Blackhawks dominate today’s NHL Rumor Mill as we look at the latest trade speculation involving Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Max Domi and more.
THE ATHLETIC: Sean Gentille, Hailey Salvian and Jesse Granger believe Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane could end up with the New York Rangers by the March 3 trade deadline.
Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane (NHL Images).
Salvian believes the Blackhawks’ constant losing with a rebuild underway makes it harder to imagine Kane staying in Chicago after deadline day. His no-movement clause gives him complete control over where he could go. She believes a reunion with former Blackhawks teammate Artemi Panarin in New York could make a lot of sense.
Gentille observed the Rangers have over $7 million in trade-deadline cap space with no one on long-term injury reserve. He suggests it could work if the Blackhawks retain a portion of Kane’s salary. Granger didn’t rule out the possibility of Kane landing with the Colorado Avalanche given the number of injuries they’ve had this season.
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Joe Haggerty noted rumors linking Kane to the Bruins. Given how well they’re playing, he wondered whether they need a rental player like the Blackhawks winger, pointing out Kane is on pace for a paltry 13 goals this season.
Haggerty linked to Spittin’ Chiclets co-host Ryan Whitney suggesting the possibility of Kane joining the Bruins. “Get rid of (Mike) Reilly, get rid of (Craig) Smith and Chicago retains half salary and boom (Kane) is a Bruin,” tweeted Whitney.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Rangers appear to be in a better position to acquire Kane if the pending free agent agrees to waive his no-movement clause. Along with the Panarin connection and their cap space, the Blueshirts are loaded with promising young players such as Kaapo Kakko, Alexis Lafreniere or Filip Chytil to tempt the Blackhawks.
Getting rid of Reilly and Smith is easier said than done considering the Bruins’ failed efforts to do so thus far. Of course, that could change as the trade deadline approaches but it’s not a certainty. If the Bruins can’t shed those salaries, they’ll have no chance of landing Kane.
Even if Kane is willing to go to Boston, the Bruins lack the depth in youngsters within their system to outbid a club like the Rangers. The Blackhawks will likely ask for top prospect Fabian Lysell and the Bruins’ first-round pick in 2023 as part of the return along with probably two or three other pieces going to Chicago.
NBC SPORTS CHICAGO: Charlie Roumeliotis doesn’t believe Kane has made a decision on whether he’ll stay or go. His representatives are scheduled to meet with Blackhawks management after the calendar flips to 2023.
Roumeliotis observed that Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews is on pace to reach 30 goals for just the fourth time in his career. Like Kane, he’d a pending free agent carrying a full no-movement clause. He believes Toews could be a good second or third-line center with a club like the Colorado Avalanche or Winnipeg Jets.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Like Kane, the Blackhawks will likely have to retain up to half of Toews’ remaining cap hit to make him affordable to clubs like the Avalanche and Jets given their limited cap space. The ‘Hawks won’t get as much of a return as they could with Kane but they’ll still want draft picks and promising young players as part of the deal.
Max Domi is on a one-year contract and could draw interest in the trade market. He’s second among Blackhawks scorers with 11 goals and 23 points. Domi’s also been strong in the faceoff circle this season, which could also prove useful for playoff clubs.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Domi’s production and 56.1 faceoff win percentage could indeed prove enticing for postseason contenders seeking depth at center. His affordable $3 million contract will also be attractive for clubs with limited cap space.
Roumeliotis wouldn’t be surprised if bottom-six sparkplug forward Sam Lafferty draws interest in the trade market. His $1.15 million average annual value through 2023-24 will also be appealing.
There is only one way Kane goes to Bruins and that is if he tells Hawks it is them and only them. Similar to what happened with Taylor Hall and the return will not be as big as if he agrees to go to other teams as there will be no bidding. Bruins would be his best chance at a 4th cup
Kane does not look like so good this season. He is not what the Rangers need. even just a single 1st round pick is a high price for him right now
Well, ds, I suppose when you’re on a team that is currently holding up the other 31 in the overall standings by playing at a .303 pace, and has a goal-differential of -50 while scoring the fewest in the league (75), and only has one player on the entire roster with a + rating (Jake McCabe – 1g 8a 9pts +2), it’s hard to get enthused about anything.
Aside from him, Domi, Toews and Raddysh, there’s not much else on that team that can hurt you, so it figures they’d get the most attention when it comes to checking.
I bet Fleury is ecstatic his stay in Chicago was brief.
good points George
Toews seems a better option for a playoff team. Domi can make a bonehead play too often to hurt his team on a playoff run unless you have the luxury of limiting him on a 4th line…. he had moments for the Canes who had a coach that could contain him
Kane has more points on a bad team than anyone on the vaunted “kid line” After getting shut out last night, NY needs to do something at deadline. Agree with comment above. Return might not be what is expected if Kane only agrees to certain team/teams. I don’t see Drury giving up much in a bidding war. RW definitely on shopping list along with LD. Dadonov wouldn’t cost as much and has also played in past with Panarin. Also played with Trochek in Florida. Could be an addition similar to adding Vatrano last year. Tarasenko?
@slick
Kane is -21 and 14 of his points are on the powerplay. he also averages 20+ minutes a game.
none of the ‘kid’ line gets over 15 mins a game or much powerplay time.
Kane makes sense for a team who needs PP help.
in a cap league you do not trade any of these young players for Kane especially when your team does not look like one of the top contenders in your conference
ds. Have you seen PP lately? I’m not interested in Kane if the cost is too high. I’ll guess teams have contacted Chicago and they’ll sit with Kane and discuss options. I disagree with your daily “they’re not a player away” comments. Without moves at last deadline, they don’t make it to Conference finals. None of the Rangers youngsters will ever come close to Kane’s accomplishments. Laf and Kakko have had plenty of opportunities playing in top 6. Kane would immediately slot in opposite of Panarin and he’ll be an upgrade. I think Laf could eventually be moved, just not for Kane
Kane to Bruins would be fun to watch imagine those two power plays both would be dynamite.
Yeah but why do you want that? Don’t you in particular like guys that aren’t flashy or make you say imagine those two on power plays? They don’t plaster guys sooooo? What gives?
I’m not interested in Kane or Domi, nor am I interested in Toews or Athanasiou.
Connor Murphy, or Raddysh, perhaps?
I get it SOP, it’s hard to decide where the B’s should add, as they are playing well in all facets of the game so far this year.
GF/GM – 2nd.
GA/GM – 1st
PP % – 3rd
PK% – 1st.
Ullmark has the best sv% among starting tenders.
So I guess PP has the most room to improve? But kinda splitting hairs. Would Kane help it, probably, but not a sure thing, as it would change the dynamic. So does he replace Pasta as the trigger for the one timer? Marchand on the half wall to feed and look for the seam passes? Replace Bergy in the bumper?
Play him on the point?
The B’s PP has been near the top of the league year after year for years. Not sure I want to mess with it too much.
Still kinda lean to the big D with some bite to kill the cycle and protect the net front as players go there harder come playoff time. More depth on the left side than the right, so maybe hunt for for big RD. But can’t afford too much as not much cap $ available.
Barring a significant injury to a top guy, seems to look like a depth move coming.
I would like to see the Bruins obtain some True Grit. I think their big need is someone to protect their scoring stars. Big defenseman and a bigger 4th line player other than Greer. I would trade Griz, not because he is an inferior defenseman, but too small, would bring a return and we would need room for whomever we bring in.
I haven’t noticed where any noted tough guys have taken a run at anyone in our top six.
Greer, along with Nosek, Smith, and Reilly to a lesser extent, can’t be moved under normal circumstances. It won’t be easy to bring anyone of value on board.
Luke Schenn
What is the offer?
Toews would be an excellent 3C behind Sid and Gino….. but call that an uber longshot
Pens more importantly need to address their D situation…. OUCH last night
I agree with ShoreOrrPark. Getting Towes will be the better haul. He can take pressure off of Bergy and Krejci by playing top line center minutes, and if you sign him to an extension, perhaps Bergy and/or Krejci resigns for next year. Towes is having a great season on a lousy team and seems to have found his stride and swagger. Would be a great add to the this Bruins team.
I like the Toews option, more next year than this one. Will just cost $, not young assets which are in short supply for the B’s.
Might not even ask for crazy money either as he has made plenty, and seems like a guy that would like a shot at another ring.
He seems healthy again after missing a lot of time.
Hawks might as well try to get what they can for Seth Jones. You either rebuild, or you don’t.
(Habs playing four rookies on defense, tonight (Guehle, Harris, Xhekaj, Kovacevic), plus Barron, just called up, who is not technically one….but close. Now THAT’s rebuilding !
9.5m won’t be easy to ‘get what you can’.
Todays flat cap World & his less than stellar play hasn’t earned him 9.5m. Overrated sorry
Got to agree wholeheartedly there Gordie. $9.5 mil with 7 years to run for a guy who has 1g 8a 9pts and a minus 21 would be hard enough to peddle, but he also has a full NMC and has already ruled out 7 locations – those being the Canada-based teams. What, does he think we all live in igloos? Keep the stiff south of the border.
Gordie, yes, you are absolutely right.
What a mess, in Chicago.
Aren’t the Bruins currently No.1?
They don’t have to do anything and certainly not mortgage the future for the prize of the TD.
Didn’t help Florida much last year
I would add depth players like Smith and Reilly . Which they currently hold .
What’s the scuttlebutt on the trade value for Domi?
Is a 3rd rounder enough? A 2nd?