CALGARY — Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews understand a decision about their futures with the Chicago Blackhawks is on the horizon, and quickly approaching.
The Blackhawks forwards are each in the final season of eight-year contracts they signed on July 9, 2014, and have no movement clauses. Kane has played 16 NHL seasons and Toews 15, all for Chicago. Toews missed the entire 2020-21 season because of what he called chronic immune response syndrome. He and Kane are three-time Stanley Cup champions (2010, 2013, 2015).
“I usually touch in with my agent every week just to kind of see what’s going on,” Kane said. “But you don’t really pay too much attention to the noise because you’re under control of what you want to do, if you want to stay or go play somewhere else. That decision really hasn’t been made yet. I’ m sure more serious discussions will happen in the next couple of weeks and then we’ll see what happens.”
The Blackhawks are 14-28-4, last in the NHL, and have missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs in four of the past five seasons. Toews did not play when they visited the Calgary Flames on Thursday because of a non-COVID illness.
“It’s definitely been interesting to kind of hear some rumors,” Toews said. “That stuff’s always kind of funny and entertaining. I’ve never really been in this position in my career, so I’m obviously thankful for that. I think my motto has just been focus on today and keep my energy and my focus and my attention in this locker room and on my game. That isn’t really changing. Obviously, people want to talk as we get closer to the deadline and stuff like that.”
The 2023 NHL Trade Deadline is March 3. The rapidly approaching date, combined with the Blackhawks’ rebuilding status, has fueled plenty of speculation.
“That’s the media’s job is to speculate and talk about ‘what if’ situations,” Toews said. “Sometimes you let your mind wander a little bit to what that would be like, too. You have to think about that stuff. It’s your life, your career. But I haven’t let myself get into it and read into it too much. “
Toews, named Blackhawks captain July 18, 2008, won the Conn Smythe Trophy voted as playoff MVP in 2010 and the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award in 2015. He’s third on Chicago with 27 points (13 goals, 14 assists) in 45 games this season. , and has 879 points (370 goals, 509 assists) in 1,059 regular-season games.
Kane won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2013 and the Hart Trophy (League MVP), Ted Lindsay Award (most outstanding player as voted by NHLPA members) and Art Ross Trophy (NHL scoring champion) in 2015-16. He has 31 points (nine goals, 22 assists) in 43 games, second behind forward Max Domi (33 points; 14 goals, 19 assists). Kane’s 1,211 points (439 goals, 772 assists) in 1,150 games are second in Blackhawks history to Stan Mikita (1,467; 541 goals, 926 assists).
“We’ve had some discussions already, but probably more serious ones getting into the thick of it after the bye week break for us (Jan. 29-Feb. 6) when we come back,” Kane said. “We’ve got a couple games left, focus on those, enjoy the break, and then after that I think it’ll start to get real.”
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