0 out of 5
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Under general manager Kyle Davidson, the Chicago Blackhawks are undergoing what is expected to be a lengthy rebuild. The process has generated speculation about the future of franchise superstar Patrick Kane and longtime team captain Jonathan Toews.
The pair served as centerpieces in the Blackhawks’ rise to NHL power between 2009-10 and 2014-15. They led the club to three Stanley Cups, winning individual awards and ranking among the league’s 100 Greatest Players.
However, the Blackhawks have steadily declined since their last championship in 2014-15. They’ve only made one playoff appearance in the last five seasons as salary cap constraints and quick deals depleted their roster.
Toews told The Athletic’s Mark Lazerus that the Blackhawks could look at a five-plus-year rebuild, which he “didn’t sound appealing to him.” He also said the constant turnover of players over the past three or four years was “really, really exhausting. And exhausting.
Although Kane remains one of the NHL’s leading scorers, the past two seasons have been tough for Toews. The 34-year-old missed the entire COVID-shortened 2020-21 campaign due to chronic immune response syndrome, and he had a career-low 37 points in 71 games last season.
Like Kane, Toews carries a $10.5 million salary cap for 2022-23 with a full no-move clause. His actual salary will be $2.9 million after receiving a $4 million signing bonus from the Blackhawks. Still, that contract won’t be easy to move unless the Blackhawks keep up to half of his hit cap.
A rebounding effort from Toews could make him an attractive trade target in the coming season, especially for playoff contenders looking for a two-way center with leadership and championship experience. Here are five potential landing spots and what the Blackhawks could get in return.
1 out of 5
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On July 11, NHL.com’s Amalie Benjamin reported that the Boston Bruins were waiting to hear if Patrice Bergeron would return for another season or retire. They are also waiting to hear if David Krejci intends to make a comeback after spending last season playing in his native Czech Republic. Three weeks later, it’s still unclear if either player will be back.
Even if one of them returns, the Bruins could be on the hunt for another center for one of their top two lines in the upcoming season, especially if they hope to remain a playoff contender. . Perhaps they would consider acquiring Toews as a one-season hire if he’s willing to accept a trade to Boston.
Toews could fill the role of first-line or second-line center, depending on whether Bergeron and/or Krejci return. His experience, leadership and two-way skills would make him a good fit alongside Bruins veterans, while younger players could benefit from his presence.
The Bruins may have to get creative to acquire Toews. They only have $4.8 million in cap space, though they will get early-season relief if Brad Marchand (hip surgery) and Charlie McAvoy (shoulder) remain on injured reserve at term as they recover from off-season surgery. However, Boston must meet the ceiling when it returns to the lineup.
To face Toews, the Bruins could attempt a three-team trade. The Blackhawks would keep half of Toews’ $10.5 million cap, with the Bruins and the other club splitting the rest in half. They could offer winger Jake DeBrusk or center Jack Studnicka as part of the return, as well as a draft pick and prospect like John Beecher.
2 out of 5
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On July 13, the Calgary Flames lost leading scorer Johnny Gaudreau to the Columbus Blue Jackets in free agency. Ten days later, they traded winger Matthew Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers, along with winger Jonathan Huberdeau and defenseman MacKenzie Weegar as part of the return.
Huberdeau and Weegar could help the Flames stay among the best teams in the Western Conference this season. However, they might need a boost to their central second line position at some point before the trade deadline. Toews could be a tempting option at this point if he’s willing to approve a trade with Calgary.
Sean Monahan is expected to return from right hip surgery in time for training camp in September. However, his struggles after surgery on his left hip suggest he may struggle to fill the second line center role. The Flames could benefit from bringing in someone with Toews’ skills and experience to provide more depth.
The Flames have $9.3 million in cap space with restricted free agents Andrew Mangiapane and Oliver Kylington due to re-sign. Acquiring Toews in the offseason or in the first half of the regular season could take up too much cap space, even if the Blackhawks absorbed half of his hit cap.
It might be best for the Flames to wait until the trade deadline, when they’ve accumulated more cap space. The return to the Blackhawks could be a second-round pick, a young defenseman like Juuso Valimaki and a prospect like Connor Zary.
3 out of 5
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The Colorado Avalanche have a big hole in the center of the second line following the departure of Nazem Kadri in free agency. Colorado Hockey Now’s Adrian Dater recently suggested that Toews could be a solid short-term replacement.
Dater acknowledged concerns about Toews’ age, contract and recent decline in production. He anticipated that Toews might not be available by the trade deadline when he would be in short supply. That would leave the Avalanche to fend for themselves with either Mikko Rantanen or Alex Newhook as a second-line center. JT Compher could also fulfill this role.
Speaking of Compher, Dater suggested he could be part of the Blackhawks return. The Avalanche could also dangle their first-round picks in 2023 and 2024. However, they might be reluctant to part with them since they’ve already traded their second- and third-rounders in both drafts. They may need to include a few leads instead.
The Avalanche entered August with nearly $18.2 million of space slated for the trade deadline cap. Still, they may have to get the Blackhawks to claw back half of Toews’ cap to ease the trade, especially if they plan to make any more additions before the deadline.
Toews’ production could improve skating on a deeper Colorado club. He would bring a lot of experience and leadership to the Avs in their quest to defend the Stanley Cup.
4 out of 5
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After reaching the 2020 Stanley Cup Finals, the Dallas Stars missed the playoffs in 2021 and were eliminated in the first round by the Calgary Flames last spring in seven hard-fought games. They could benefit from having Toews in the center of their second line, with team captain Jamie Benn on the left wing and Tyler Seguin on the right.
CHGO Sports’ Jay Zawaski recently reported that there was no truth to a rumor linking the Stars to Blackhawks star Patrick Kane. Even if the Stars pursue the 33-year-old winger, the Blackhawks’ asking price combined with Kane’s $10.5 million cap and full no-move clause could put him beyond the Stars’ reach.
Given the Stars’ depth among their wingers, Toews might be a better choice as a two-way center with considerable league experience. Admittedly, he has an identical contract to Kane’s and should accept the exchange. The Blackhawks should also keep a good chunk of the cap hit.
The Stars still have $11.5 million in salary cap space, but they have yet to re-sign rising young stars Jason Robertson and Jake Oettinger. They would probably have to wait until the trade deadline to rack up enough cap space to sue Toews.
As for the return, the Blackhawks could seek young defenseman Thomas Harley as well as a prospect like Ty Dellandrea as well as a draft pick. Still, a hire like Toews could be worth it if the Stars are in playoff contention before the trade deadline.
5 out of 5
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The New York Islanders are pursuing free agent center Nazem Kadri, according to The Athletic’s Kevin Kurz. If those efforts fail, perhaps general manager Lou Lamoriello will consider Toews as a second-line center option.
The Islanders already have two centers in Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson. Kurz suggested moving one of them to the wing to make room for Kadri, but the same idea could apply if they were to acquire Toews.
Kadri would provide the Islanders with a scrappy second-line center after a career-high 87 points and a Stanley Cup championship. Toews doesn’t play the same style, but he’s a solid two-way center who brings years of league experience and leadership to the table.
With $11.2 million in salary cap space and restricted free agents Noah Dobson and Alexander Romanov yet to sign, the Islanders wouldn’t have enough cap space for Toews to hit the full cap to start the season. They should convince the Blackhawks to keep half. In return, they could offer Josh Bailey with a draft pick and a prospect.
NYI Hockey Now’s Stefen Rosner recently reported that the Isles are shopping Bailey. The 32-year-old winger has two years left on his contract with an average annual cap of $5 million. Rosner believes he could do wonders for a rebuilding club like the Blackhawks.
Salary cap information updated as of August 2, 2022, via Cap Friendly.
