Losing Alex DeBrincat is scarily similar to the Panarin situation, but even worse.. Patrick Kanes whopping $10.5 million dollar contract is set to expire after this season, and Kane himself mentioned during a press interview that if DeBrincat stayed it would definitely help his thoughts on a future in a Blackhawks uniform.
Jonathan Toews:
Captain clutch Jonathan Toews has been through a lot, including injuries and as well as losing multiple teammates throughout the past few years, Toews openly admitted that his health is not where it needs to be as he suffered multiple concussion head injuries this past season. Health comes before hockey, and Toews may pull the trigger on that and potentially retire after his contract expires (the same time Kanes contract expires), a lack of depth with the loss of DeBrincat will put Toews playing with youth that are no-near developed, and it may be a ugly season as it's the first of the multi-year rebuild.