It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours for your Thursday. We’re closing in on the start of the NHL regular season and the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Some teams are amping themselves up for a post-season run. However, others have smashed the button on the rebuild. The Chicago Blackhawks are likely to get a top-three pick in the NHL Draft. However, some asked about a Patrick Kane return next season. This edition of NHL rumours talks about that.
NHL Rumours
Patrick Kane Return Not Likely
Rumour: The Athletic’s Mark Lazerus conducted a Blackhawks mailbag in his latest column. One of the questions discussed a Patrick Kane return. However, Lazerus quickly poured cold water on the idea of the Buffalo native returning to the Windy City. Kane was sent to the New York Rangers at the deadline and is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
Is the Blackhawks’ tank worthless if they don’t land a top-three pick?
Which current players are part of Chicago’s long-term plans?
And who’s part of @MarkLazerus‘s all-quote team?
It’s time for a Blackhawks mailbag:https://t.co/xIrBgy4LKO
— The Athletic NHL (@TheAthleticNHL) March 23, 2023
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Kane will likely get inducted into the Hall of Fame in a Blackhawks sweater. However, it doesn’t seem likely that he’ll come back after being part of the Rangers playoff push. The veteran winger probably doesn’t want to be part of the painful rebuild that’s coming. It’s also likely that captain Jonathan Toews will hang up his skates at the end of the season.
Unlikelihood of Patrick Kane Return
Kane has also struggled through a hip injury that’s limited him somewhat. The 34-year-old will likely have to miss some time at the start of the next season. He’ll likely get his ailment taken care of and then wait to see if a contender needs him next season.
There aren’t many names that will likely survive the Chicago rebuild. Names like Seth Jones, Lukas Reichel, Philipp Kurashev and Wyatt Kaiser seem to be the only certainties for the club. It’s going to take general manager Kyle Davidson some time to turn the Blackhawks back into the perennial Cup threat they were in the 2010s.
Main photo by: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
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