Toews and Kane Trade Rumors Heating Up in Chicago

The Chicago Blackhawks currently sit at 3-9-2 through their first 14 games this season and if the team doesn't turn things around, some believe management will approach both Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane about waiving their no-movement clauses.

Toews has returned after missing all of last season with an illness and has as expected, looked a step behind this season. He's managed to record eight points in 14 games and is a minus -5. He's playing 17:51 of ice-time a night and this ranks him fourth on the team. 

Kane is the Blackhawks leading in ice-time and also points with five goals and 13 points in 10 games. He's looked dynamic this season and doesn't appear to be slowing down anytime soon, even at soon-to-be 33 years old. Perhaps the Olympic year has Kane motivated as ever and the same could be said about Toews who has now become a bubble player to make the team.

ESPN senior hockey writer Greg Wyshynski had this to say about it being time to rebuild in the Windy City:

When you have many players retire wearing only your uniform, then you’re in trouble. You’re going to have to dangle Toews and Kane out there as the key to winning the Stanley Cup to somebody so that you can reap what you should reap, having paid them so much money through the years and having won your own three Stanley Cups. Give somebody else a chance to get a Cup, but they have to pay.

Keep an eye on the standings this season and if the Blackhawks are completely out of it, which looks like is going to be the case, we could see a fire sale happening in Chicago with some very big names involved. They've already cleaned house everywhere else in the building. 

PHoto credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports