“I am 34 years old and I find myself with a team in reconstruction” -Patrick Kane

UPDATE DAY

Patrick Kane has enough experience to suspect that he is living his last days with the Chicago Blackhawks. The prolific winger has no intention of staying long with a team at the start of a rebuilding phase. 

Coming out of morning practice on the ice from the Bell Centre, Kane spoke very candidly about the Hawks' vision.

“I am 34 years old and I find myself with a team in reconstruction, he recalled. It's hard to accept. I thought we had good young people for the future of the team with DeBrincat, Dach and Hagel. They are proving right now that they are good players in the NHL. Once they traded them, we knew we were going 100% into rebuilding mode.

Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson will continue to reshape his team by the March 3 trade deadline.

Kane and Jonathan Toews, two strong faces of the organization, will probably be the next dominoes to fall.

When asked about the rumors about him, Kane remained very calm.

“It's not too bad, I know the situation,” he replied. Sometimes I get asked questions, but that's part of the job. We'll see what will happen.

“I have a no-movement clause, he continued. I also control my destiny. I talk to my agent and my family. I ask questions to Pat (Brisson) and I sat down with Kyle (Davidson). There is no news to report yet. »

A Hawks forever

First in the 2007 draft, Kane won the Stanley Cup three times with the Blackhawks (2010, 2013 and 2015).

He already has the numbers to open the doors of the Hall of Fame as soon as he will retire. Before the visit to Montreal, he had 1,215 points (439 goals, 776 assists) in 1,155 games.

For his first 16 seasons in the NHL, he also wore only one uniform, that of the Hawks. But that could change quickly.

“Yes, it would be difficult to accept,” he admitted. I got drafted by the Blackhawks. I've always played for this team and I've been in Chicago for a long time. I am a Blackhawks. But no matter what happens, it won't change that reality.  

In his final year of an eight-year contract, Kane has a salary footprint of 10.5 million. The Hawks will need some ingenuity to trade him, most likely agreeing to keep a portion of his salary.

Happy for Dach

Kane has also slipped a few words on Dach, a former third overall pick in the 2019 auction by the Blackhawks.

“I'm not surprised by Dach's success,” he said. He is 21 or 22 years old. It takes time to adapt to the NHL. He had probably been pushed into the NHL. He sometimes played in a fourth line, it was not the best thing for his development. With the Canadian, he has an important role, he plays big minutes and he produces. I rejoice for him. »