Blackhawks General Manager Addresses Circumstances Around Trading Patrick Kane and The Return Chicago Received

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Jared
March 1, 2023 (3:35 PM)

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Kyle Davidson knew that his tenure with as the Blackhawks general manager would come with tough decisions, but nobody knew how quickly those tough decisions would be coming. On Tuesday afternoon, Davidson fulfilled Kane's wishes and traded him to the New York Rangers, reuniting him with Artemi Panarin. Davidson faced instant backlash from majority of the fan base for the return, but he cleared the air with the Blackhawks pregame crew Tuesday night in Arizona.

Davidson reiterated that working through the process with Kane and his agent Pat Brisson wasn't difficult. In terms of the return, Davidson stated, "Given the situation, I don't think the asset return was ever going to be realistically what we would've wanted it to be." The main goal of the transaction was to put Patrick Kane in a situation that he wanted to be in, and that was the Rangers. Davidson also issued a statement through the Blackhawks social media regarding the trade.

While it's frustrating to only get a conditional 2nd round pick, 4th round pick, and two prospects when many players of a lower caliber and pedigree than Kane brought back far more significant returns, Davidson's rationale is solid. Kane wanted to be a Ranger. He believes that being on the Rangers gives him the best opportunity to chase another Stanley Cup.

The Rangers didn't owe the Blackhawks a huge haul for Kane since they were his only destination that he was willing to go to. Davidson did his best and received capital in the draft, all while doing right by the player that played a major role in putting the Blackhawks back on the map and making Chicago a hockey town once again. If Kane would've hit the open market and tested free agency, there's no guarantee the Hawks would've resigned him given his motives of chasing more Stanley Cups being revealed in his official statement. Hopefully there will be a reunion somewhere down the line, but if not, Kane has an argument for being the greatest player to ever play in Chicago.