In most instances, a team’s captain ranks atop the list of “players least likely to be traded”. Teams take care in naming captains, selecting players they deem representative of the franchise, culture and work ethic as a whole. As a result, players wearing the “C” on their chest usually stay in one city for longer stretches than their teammates. In recent years, though, the taboo around moving a captain faded. Dion Phaneuf, Eric Staal, Jack Eichel, Claude Giroux, Erik Karlsson, Ryan Callahan, Martin St. Louis, and Jarome Iginla…all these players got traded elsewhere while wearing the “C” over the past ten years. The next captain rumoured to join the list? None other than Chicago Blackhawks legend and future Hall of Famer Jonathan Toews, potentially going to the Seattle Kraken.
NHL Rumours: Seattle Kraken Considering Toews Trade
The buzz surrounding Toews and teammate Patrick Kane in the rumour mill is nothing new. The chatter started well before the 2022-23 campaign even began. Two of the most decorated champions in Blackhawks history both reached the end of their massive contracts this season. That knowledge, and the fact that the Hawks management pushed a rebuild into full effect, made them obvious trade bait. After all, the pair accomplished everything to be had in the hockey world over their tenure in Chicago. They won three Stanley Cups, racked up numerous additional awards, Olympic medals, scoring titles and accolades, and put the Blackhawks at the center stage of the league for the better part of a decade.
Those accomplishments mean the world to both players. However, the game remains a business too. And holding onto two expensive studs reaching the ends of their careers while trying to rebuild just doesn’t make sense. If Kane and Toews waive their no-trade clauses before the deadline, without a doubt the team will move them.
How Toews Fits in with Kraken
According to Yahoo Sports, David Pagnotta, and the Seattle Times to name a few, Toews and the Kraken make a good fit. If this trade took place five years ago, the return heading to Chicago would’ve been enormous. But in 2022-23? Toews owns 14 goals, 14 assists and 28 points in 46 games on the season to date. That falls well below his career averages. Toews potted 12 consecutive seasons with over 20 goals, including three north of 30.
In 2019-20, he fell short of the 20-goal plateau for the first time in his career. Then, he missed all of 2020-21 due to illness. Last season, he barely exceeded the half-point-per-game threshold. He still posts great possession numbers, indicating that his two-way game remains intact. But the offensive production has dropped off for the 34-year-old.
Making the Deal Work for Both Sides
While his numbers stand marginally better this season, the return for Toews, at a massive $10.5 million cap hit, and as a rental expiring this summer, won’t be astronomical. Not to mention the fact that he’s dealing with injury issues again at the moment. The Kraken need to know first that Toews can come to town and play hockey before they make any trade. Then they also need Chicago to retain a significant chunk of his salary, while also not demanding too many assets in return.
Should all of that happen, the Kraken wind up with a player bringing more Stanley Cup Playoff experience to the team than anyone on the roster today. Sure, Yanni Gourde won two Cups in Tampa. Yes, Andre Burakovsky won one in Washington and another last season in Colorado. But Toews won three, all with the same team, and all as captain.
Kraken Options with Toews
Bringing a centre of his calibre into the lineup affords head coach Dave Hakstol many additional options. Matthew Beniers and Toews make quite a one-two punch up the middle of the ice. That relieves Alexander Wennberg a bit, allowing him to log third-line minutes where he fits more anyways.
Then the wealth of utility forwards really stands out. Jared McCann already slid from the middle to the wing, to play with Beniers and Jordan Eberle on the top line after Burakovsky’s injury. They still have Jaden Schwartz, Brandon Tanev, Eeli Tolvanen, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Ryan Donato, Daniel Sprong, Morgan Geekie, John Hayden, and of course Gourde to choose from for the rest of the lineup.
That list is bursting at the seams with guys who can play up and down the lineup. No wonder this team scores so evenly from top to bottom. They feature a unique build, and adding Toews could really push them to a whole new level.
Photo Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
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