Since the official start of the Kyle Davidson Era there has been one question that has followed this team around, where are Toews and Kane going to be traded? This seemed to be a ridiculous question; the idea of Toews and Kane wearing a sweater other than the Indian Head just seemed impossible. However, there are very few guarantees in life and with the obvious direction this team is heading you must wonder if moving on is the right move not just for the future of this club but also doing right by the two players who took this team back to the top of the mountain.
While the future of these players rests strictly in the hands of Toews and Kane, that hasn’t stopped the media and fans from speculating on what is going to happen. Toews has been much more vocal about his opinion of the work done by KD. He publicly questioned what the plan was when Hagel was dealt, saying, "Yeah, if Hags is the guy to get traded, if he's not a guy that's a part of a rebuild, then I don't know.” More recently Toews question if a change in scenery would be best for both him and this team. Kane however seems to be keeping his cards close and not showing his hand. It is no secret that the idea of being the all time point leader in Hawks History is important to 88 and with him already winning 3 cups, Art Ross, Ted Lindsey, and Hart there is really nothing left for him to go for besides the record. There have been reports recently that he has been vetoing any trade options presented to him however I have yet to find a reliable resource to confirm this.
So, what might the trade market look like for these players? This might be the homer bias in me, but I can’t imagine a team that’s on the cusp of a playoff spot or a piece away from being a legit contender not picking the phone up and asking KD what the price tag is. The next question is what you can expect in a return for these guys. Again, my bias is going to show here, but there is zero reason that the Hawks shouldn’t get the bag and then some.
For Kaner, I realistically think the Giroux package is a good starting point. For those of you who might have forgotten, the Panthers sent the Flyers Owen Tippet, a 3rd Round Pick, and a conditional 1st Round Pick. Now great start but for me this needs to be upped for a player of Kane’s caliber. Two First Rounders (one of them being conditional on Kane signing an extension) 2nd rounder, and a prospect is what I would be asking for. I think you can even swap out one of the first rounders for an NHL ready or high end prospect. Now KD would obviously retain 50% of his contract to make this work and if the return is on the higher end, take a bad contract back to really help out cap situations. If the goal is to win a Stanley Cup this year, there is zero reason you won’t make a swing at Kane. I don’t care how other fans think we are just biased over Kane because to think he is not worth a large haul is just silly. Don’t give me the excuse that his numbers are down, of course they are down; he has no one to play with. Look at the seasons where he’s had a true linemate with him. With Debrincat 21/22 season 92 points, 20/21 season 66 (shortened season) 19/20 season 84 points, and 18/19 season 110 points. Then with Panarin, 16/17 89 points and 15/16 106 points. You need to solidify your top 6, you bring in Kane, and you are going to get Showtime for the playoff run.
For Toews, this gets a little trickier on what to expect in a return for him. He is a player whose numbers have been on the decline over the years; however we have learned that may have been due to medical issues he was dealing with. This season he is having a comeback season offensively which has seen him surpass last season’s goal total of 12 (currently at 14) and already has 28 points and will surpass last season’s mark of 37. He also leads the league in face-off percentage with a 63.3%-win rate. This stat would be even more impressive if he was on a team who could capitalize on his ability to win big draws. However, what really makes Toews valuable are the things that do not show up on the stat sheet. The leadership he brings to the rooms and the hard two-way style he plays each night; he is another player that would take a team to the next level if used correctly. I think that if you bring him in and give him 3rd line minutes and use him strictly for special teams plus big time draws, he is going to be well worth what is given up for him. What might picking up Toews cost a team? First, I think they report that it would be either a 2nd or 3rd round pick that needs to be tossed and laughed at. For me you can get a conditional 1st rounder and a 2nd rounder for Toews with conditions being on his performance or how far the team goes in the playoffs. Worst cast that 1st becomes a 2nd and you get two 2nd’s for him. Even that to me seems like a steal for the other team.
With the trade deadline just 25 days away, we are going to start to see what teams are going all out for a cup run and we will start to have a better picture of who might become the best trade partners for these two. Kaner it seems like the Rangers might be the favorites, but I still think if there can be an extension apart of the deal, Sabres could be a dark horse contender for 88. As for Toews, there have been two teams I have seen linked to him and they are both north of the border with the Leafs and Jets. Adding Toews to either of those teams would create some the the scariest line-ups of centers and put both those teams over the edge.
Other fans who might ready this will call me a homer and say I am way overvaluing these guys, but I also think that other fanbases are undervaluing what these two can bring to the table. These guys know what it takes to win it all and they turned this franchise around and made it great again for 7 of the best years of hockey we have gotten to watch. They aren’t the same players they were as kids, but don’t you for a second think that means they have nothing to offer.
As for me, I came into this season with the mindset that if Kane and Toews are still on this team come March 4th, it will be considered the first true failure for the Davidson Era. As the season has gone on, I am starting to come around on that and open to the idea of keeping them. You have to think about what has more value to this team and their rebuild plans. If you trade them for picks, you are playing the lottery hoping to land at least one winning ticket. If you keep them and extend them, what you are getting is the next group that could be the future core of this team, learning from two of the best to play the game. Its almost one of those damned if you do, damned if you don’t situations, and unless you are in the conversations that are going on between KD, 19, and 88, its really anyone’s guess. I personally have a feeling Kane might be staying and if someone is dealt its going to be Toews. I have no backing to these opinions; its just my gut feeling at the moment. Time will tell and the countdown is officially on t minus 25 days, we will all have answers and can just focus on hockey for the reason of the year.
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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