A new year brings a new round of trade speculation on the Chicago Blackhawks. What’s the latest possible asking prices for their tradeable talent?
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James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
With just eight wins in 37 games, the Chicago Blackhawks are on pace for their worst season since their 20-win campaign in 2003-04. The mounting losses continue to provide fodder for rumors with the March 3 trade deadline just two months away.
Most of it regards whether pending free agents Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews will waive their no-movement clauses before deadline day.
Scott Powers and Mark Lazerus of The Athletic examined what the Blackhawks could potentially receive for either player. They think Kane could fetch a first-round pick and perhaps a decent prospect. The small number of teams that he might accept getting traded to would provide those clubs with some leverage. The Blackhawks would also have to retain half of his $10.5-million cap hit.
Toews’ bounce-back performance this season might be worth a first-round pick. Interested clubs, however, could be less willing to take on half of his $10.5-million cap hit. Powers and Lazerus suggest it could take either a three-team deal to spread the dollars around or the Blackhawks taking back a salaried player to make it work.
Powers and Lazerus believe Max Domi could draw some interest, given his solid play this season. Like Kane and Toews, he’s due to become an unrestricted free agent in July.
It was assumed Domi would be flipped at the trade deadline when he signed his one-year, $3-million contract last summer. However, the versatile 27-year-old forward has fit in well with the Blackhawks. Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek reported on Saturday that the two sides have had ongoing discussions about a contract extension.
Speedy winger Andreas Athanasiou is on a contract similar to Domi’s. Given his streaky production, however, Powers and Lazerus doubt he’ll draw much interest.