NHL Insider Reveals Jonathan Toews Trade Talks ''Heating up''

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Kevin Garcia
November 26, 2022 (3:51 PM)

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In the past few weeks, the Blackhawks have been the team we expected them to be heading into this season.

They started off pretty hot to begin the year, keeping all of their games respectable against solid opponents, but that is no longer the case.

Following the team's 3-2 SO loss to the Canadiens, they have now lost six in a row and twelve of their last fifteen.

Now that they are playing like the bottom team we thought they would, it is time to see where guys like Kane and Toews stand with the year.

As you know, the longtime Blackhawks stars are in the final year of their respective contracts. So what is next for the two?

Well, Kane has not been playing well this year, which makes sense with the lack of playmakers around him. Domi and Anthanasiou have done well when paired with Kane, but it is not the same as when Kane had DeBrincat on the same line.

With Kane's laid back style of play, his point totals have taken a dip without having guys to snipe home his passes on a regular basis. He would thrive if traded to a contending team with plenty of playmakers.

Jonathan Toews, on the other hand, has been playing well this year with 13 points in 20 games. He has been a force in front of the opponent's net and has put home most of his goals within a couple feet of the crease. It is not just his point total, though, as he also has the best faceoff percentage of his career at the moment.

According to Hockey Feed, Toews is the second highest rated trade target on Frank Seravalli's latest board as the insider points out that the Blackhawks' captain «is garnering more interest of late due to his strong two way play, his face-off dominance, and his off-ice leadership. Any contending team would surely be interested in the three-time cup winning center.»

Seravalli stated the following:

«Like Kane, Toews will determine his future with an identical contract and clauses. They also share the same agent in CAA Sports' Pat Brisson, who will be working very closely with Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson as the process heats up. The difference is Kane has always been a sought after commodity, a player who makes teams drool. Toews used to be there � as a stingy, difficult to play against center and unshakeable leader. He's gotten back closer to the level that we last saw from him in 2019-20 before the pandemic. And that has everyone excited, including the Blackhawks.»

Toews has a hefty contract, so the Blackhawks may need to take on some of his salary to be able to move him, but there are plenty of contenders who will make a push for the Hawks' captain if he keeps up this play.

I believe that Toews' decision to move on from Chicago or not will come from Kane's decision. Toews is closer to the end of his career than Kane is, so if Kane wants to stay I Chicago then I'm sure Toews will not allow the Blackhawks to trade him.

With the talent of the two players, though, I would be shocked if they want to finish out the year with this rebuild Hawks squad. It definitely is an option that they get traded for picks and prospects, and then sign with the Blackhawks in the offseason on shorter contracts.

That, of course, would be the best case scenario for the Blackhawks organization.