Latest on Patrick Kane, Boston Bruins and more trade buzz
Emily KaplanESPN7 minutes read
The NHL trade deadline is March 3, and with just nine days left, talks in the league are heating up. Here’s what I’m hearing about some dynamics going on behind the scenes…
We should have clarity on Kane’s decision this week. None of this was easy for the experienced winger. Kane always envisioned retirement as a Blackhawk. Only in the last few months – and maybe even in the last few weeks – has he had to accept that his vision may no longer be realistic. Based on conversations I’ve had with sources in the league, behind-the-scenes talks with Rangers were more advanced than reported. There was a route for Kane to New York, his preferred destination should he leave Chicago, and then suddenly it felt like he’d been taken away – which is why you saw him react so vulnerable to trading with Vladimir Tarasenko.
Kane has been upset with the coverage of his hip injury, but that’s a real concern teams have voiced. Kane is one of the greatest players in the league. He is incredibly competitive and takes great care of his body. Before the age of 30, he switched to a bodyweight movement-based training method. Many players in the league, including Austin Matthews, follow suit. There’s a lot Kane is doing to prepare for the season. But he proved, particularly with his home ice hat-trick against the Maple Leafs on Sunday, that he can still be effective despite all the problems and no matter what linemates he’s playing with.
So now Kane is recalibrating again. I think he was asked to look into whether going to Rangers is still an option. It’s not impossible, but would require serious maneuvering. Kane also needs to consider what else is available. I know the Carolina Hurricanes and the Dallas Stars are interested in him. I think the Vegas Golden Knights and the Edmonton Oilers are too. A mysterious team may be lurking. One of the reasons Kane loves playing in Chicago is that there is comfort and structure there for him and his family. So Kane must decide if he can restore comfort and structure to one of these locations while giving himself a legitimate shot at victory. If he can tick those boxes, we’ll see him move on and into the next chapter. If not, the Blackhawks are prepared for Kane to come up to them and say he doesn’t want to move at all.
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There was interest in Chicago captain Jonathan Toews. I know the Colorado Avalanche had their eye on him this season. The Seattle Kraken also monitored his game. But as Toews took time this month to seek answers as to why he still didn’t feel well — symptoms of a long COVID and chronic immune response syndrome, he said — a move became less likely. GM Kyle Davidson confirmed to me that Toews are not trading as of the record date.
This creates an interesting flexibility for Chicago’s reconstruction plans. Teams are only allowed to keep three players’ salaries, and the Blackhawks had expected to keep part of Toews’ $10.5 million cap, which was achieved in a trade. They’ll likely keep some of Kane’s $10.5 million in a potential trade. But how could they use the other two spots now that toews aren’t being traded? Davidson has made it clear to his colleagues that he is open to business. Call about any player in their roster and make an honest offer and they’ll be willing to listen. There’s a lot of league-wide interest in Jake McCabe, especially when his $4 million cap is halved by 2024-25. I believe the Chicago request is a first-round pick, plus more for McCabe. There was also a lot of buzz surrounding Sam Lafferty, who has finally found his speed in an NHL regular, has an attractive cap hit of $1.15 million and is also signed for next season. I think the Blackhawks are looking for a second-round pick for Lafferty.
But even when Chicago is trying to rebuild — garnering as many prospects and draft picks as possible — Davidson isn’t swapping players just to do it. He’s taken many calls, but when the asking prizes don’t materialize, he’s happy to hold on to both veterans – who have contributed to the team’s culture – and will continue to be attractive to teams next year.
What do the Bruins need?
The Boston Bruins were the most complete and consistent team in the NHL that year. But they know that a Presidents’ Trophy doesn’t guarantee playoff success, and they’re still looking for new ones. You are planning something potentially big. Other teams have told me that the Bruins called to ask if they would take Craig Smith ($3.1 million cap hit), which would help them make room.
While Boston has overseen all the big names, including Timo Meier, their greatest need is at left defense. Ideally, they find someone of size who can play with Charlie McAvoy – which would knock Matt Grzelcyk down the rotation. You have been monitoring Jakob Chychrun’s situation for some time. I’ve heard from multiple sources that the Bruins have had advanced talks regarding Columbus’ Vladislav Gavrikov, but they may be waiting for another transaction before completing this deal. And if things don’t work out with Gavrikov, I think they have contingency plans in place.
Expect the flash to be enough something
For the past three years, Tampa Bay Lightning GM Julien BriseBois has publicly said the same thing around this time: He has no cap space to make any moves. And in the last two years he’s found out, making waves for Blake Coleman in 2021 and Brandon Hagel in 2022. He’s singing the same tune this year, and when I met him in Tampa last week he insisted, “Really, this year I don’t have the space or the means to do a Coleman or Hagel deal.”
The Lightning are without first- and second-round picks in this year’s draft, and don’t have a first-round pick for 2024. Still, I have a hard time believing BriseBois. He’s one of the smartest managers in the league. He’ll find a way to do that something to help his team. BriseBois told me defense is not an area of need. They feel like they have 10 NHL-eligible blue liners on their NHL roster and with the AHL Syracuse Crunch. I’ve heard from other teams that the Lightning are ready to move Cal Foote, who has only played 25 games this year – partly due to the emergence of Nick Perbix.
Realistically, the Lightning are looking for a forward in the last six who can fit their identity and culture (like Nick Paul, another pickup for them last season). I also think they want to add an element of speed, which is why Chicago’s Sam Lafferty and his cost certainty make sense for next season. But again, when it comes to BriseBois, expect the unexpected.
Any surprise teams before the deadline?
I asked an assistant general manager to name the surprise team that could be the main character of the trade deadline day. “The Seattle Kraken,” the assistant general manager told me. “I think they’ve been snooping around on a lot of opportunities to add to their roster. They’re still looking at the big picture to find the right path, but I think they see an opportunity this year and maybe they will.”
There have been some rumors that Carson Soucy might be available. He was scratched on the foot after a puck on Monday against the Sharks. Soucy, 28, is an unrestricted free agent this summer and there have been no renewal talks yet. But it would be a big surprise if Soucy were moved; It’s brave to take an experienced defenseman from a playoff team.
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The Carolina Hurricanes and Minnesota Wild are both looking for help in scoring, but both teams are looking creatively. The Wild have been reluctant to abandon high picks or lease prospects as they’re still navigating their buyout-enforced cap crunch — nor do I think they’re convinced this is their year to go all out .
Meanwhile, the Hurricanes tend to do business differently than the rest of the league. Despite having the most space and flexibility among the top competitors due to Max Pacioretty’s LTIR designation, they have prices that don’t always match what the market says, and they stick to it. While they’re monitoring Kane and Meier, I wouldn’t be surprised if their acquisition turns out to be a player not on the radar. The Canes don’t usually make rentals or short-term decisions. They also tend to do business in the 11th hour. So while many teams were ahead of the deadline, Carolina should be active on March 3rd.