The NHL trade deadline is now less than a month away, and rumors continue to circulate around Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane as they have all season long. With each passing day the rumors heat up, but don’t expect much movement until right before the deadline, as the closer we get to March 3 the lower his cap hit will be for the acquiring team.
Kane has been one of the best players in the league for the past decade plus across Illinois sportsbooks, putting together a Hall-of-Fame resume that includes three Stanley Cups, a Conn Smythe Trophy, an Art Ross Trophy and a Calder Trophy.
He has slowed down this season, hampered a bit by lingering injuries and the nature of getting older in a sport that seems to keep getting younger and younger. But there are several players around the league who have proved that they can adapt and adjust their games to continue to improve as they age, and Kane no doubt has the talent and drive to do just the same.
Kane also has measures of control in this situation in the form of a no-trade clause negotiated into his eight- year contract worth $10.5 million per season. With it being the last year of his deal and the Blackhawks among the worst teams in the league, he is certainly more likely to finish the season in a different uniform than the one he has known for his entire career.
Although he has stated publicly that he is unsure yet if he will waive the clause, history and common sense tell us that he has a good chance of being moved to a contending team and taking a run at another Stanley Cup.
With all of this in mind, IllinoisBet.com analyzed the biggest needs of contending teams around the league and also took into account rumors that are swirling around to develop hypothetical odds for where Kane might end up after the deadline. While there are no BetMGM Sportsbook Illinois odds on the trades, keep tabs on this site for hypothetical odds like this.
Odds of Patrick Kane’s Team After Trade Deadline
Blackhawks Still the Favorite
Chicago remains the favorite to hang on to Kane with a 24.1% chance at Illinois sportsbook apps, giving them hypothetical odds of +315. Until Kane states publicly that he will be waiving his no-trade clause, the Blackhawks will remain the favorite to retain the star, who now has a family in Chicago to consider, as well as the history he has with the franchise.
If Kane is to be dealt, the New York Rangers are among the strongest suitors for his services. They have the prospects and draft picks to make a deal work and also have something for Kane, as his former linemate Artemi Panarin is now a star for the Rangers.
In a tight Metropolitan Division, the Rangers need a bump to be able to repeat their playoff success from last year and Kane could be that guy. With a 17.4% chance of acquiring Kane, the Rangers' odds to trade for him are hypothetically set at +475.
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Don't Count Out Bruins, Canes
The Boston Bruins and Carolina Hurricanes are two other strong contenders with rumored interest, both having a chance stronger than 10%. Boston, who Kane and Chicago defeated in the 2013 Stanley Cup Finals, leads the league at this point in the season and appears to be all in on going for it this year.
Carolina trails only the Bruins in the standings and have an opening for a top-line winger after Max Pacioretty reinjured his Achilles recently. They have the need and the salary cap flexibility to make a trade work.
The Vegas Golden Knights always seem to be involved when top players are available, and they are in the mix for Kane as well, along with his hometown Buffalo Sabres and the Los Angeles Kings.
While the ultimate decision still rests with Kane, expect him to end the season in an unfamiliar sweater and more than likely, making a deep run in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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