Patrick Kane could be headed eastward at the NHL trade deadline, if he agrees to it.

The Blackhawks star is beginning to percolate more in trade rumors around the league, with the deadline less than a month away. The latest is from

#Blackhawks update: In addition to Patrick Kane, I can confirm Jonathan Toews has also been presented with a list of teams that have expressed interest in trading for him. And like Kane, while things can change, no decision is expected until closer to the trade deadline.

— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) February 7, 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">David Pagnotta, who tweeted Tuesday that both Kane and Jonathan Toews have been handed a list of teams that expressed interest in them. Both players have full no-movement clauses in their contracts, but are also in the final years of their deals and could end up signing elsewhere in the off-season, anyway.

Pagnotta added that neither Kane nor Toews will decide whether they even want to be traded until “closer to the deadline.”

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• For Boston, the question is: are the Bruins even on Kane’s list? Did they make a call?

  Kane’s contract carries an AAV of $10.5 million, and the Bruins have endured an extreme cap crunch throughout the season as it is. Don Sweeney would almost certainly need Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson to eat some of Kane’s cap hit, and it wouldn’t be surprising if Chicago had to do that no matter what. But it’s an especially tight situation for the B’s, which is why it’s more likely they ultimately make moves for depth instead of high-end talent.

  If the Bruins DID end up shocking the world and swinging a move for Kane, the package would likely begin with Jake DeBrusk, top forward prospect Fabian Lysell, and a first-round pick. But it would probably have to be bigger than that, possibly with an additional roster player, if only to make the money work. We’re talking about parking Kane on the top line with Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron if he donned black & gold, so DeBrusk is the logical spot to swap out and upgrade.

  And despite down production, Kane should still be considered a bigger prize that Bo Horvat, so Trent Frederic or Connor Clifton alone wouldn’t cut it.

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  BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MARCH 10: Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Blackhawks reacts after the Blackhawks 4-3 loss to the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on March 10, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

• Even if the Bruins aren’t in on Kane at all, he could still agree to a trade to the Eastern Conference. The New York Rangers are the team that’s come up recently, after NHL insider Frank Seravelli said on Daily Faceoff Live that Kane and Sharks forward Timo Meier are among their top desired trade targets.

  The Rangers are third in the Metropolitan Division, so they are certainly a potential playoff opponent for the Bruins down the road. Though it’s no reason to overpay for Kane, it would be tough for the B’s to watch a dynamic player go to another team that could be in their way of getting back to the Stanley Cup Final.

  Despite all this, it’s quite possible that Kane vetoes all possible trades, anyway. Chicago-based Barstool Sports personality “Chief” recently said on

  Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews will not be traded, scooped by @BarstoolChief @RedLineRadio pic.twitter.com/bKKPMshXLZ

  — Barstool Chicago (@barstoolchicago) February 3, 2023" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Red Line Radio that Kane and Toews will both stay with the Blackhawks, and that Kane in particular will “actively block any trades” and even re-sign with the Blackhawks next season.

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  Oct 26, 2019; Raleigh, NC, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) and right wing Patrick Kane (88) talk against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 4-0. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

• So! We’ll see if Kane changes his mind over the next few weeks and goes for some ring-chasin’. If he wants to stay with the Blackhawks, anyway, then he can go right back to them after another team rents him for a few months. Then again, would a team be willing to give up what the Blackhawks want for a pure rental who has no intention of staying?

  This is a plot worth following for all hockey fans. The 2023 NHL trade deadline hits at 3 p.m. ET on Friday, March 3. We’ll have you covered all the way through at 985TheSportsHub.com.

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  Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. Check out all of Matt’s content here.