Im 34 and I find myself on a recovery team

“I’m 34 and I find myself on a recovery team” -Patrick Kane

Patrick Kane has enough experience to suspect he’s living out his final days with the Chicago Blackhawks. The hard-hitting winger has no intention of dragging himself out with a team early in a transition.

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Kane came out of morning practice on the ice at Bell Center and was very candid about the Hawks’ vision.

“I’m 34 years old and I’m in recovery with a team,” he recalled. It’s hard to accept. I thought we had good prospects for the future of the team in DeBrincat, Dach and Hagel. They’re proving right now that they’re good players in the NHL. After they swapped them out, we knew we would be 100% going into rebuild mode. »

Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson will continue to transform his team through the March 3 close of trading.

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

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

“It’s not that 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-move clause,” he continued. I also control my destiny. I’m talking to my agent and my family. I ask Pat (Brisson) questions and sit down with Kyle (Davidson). There is no news to announce yet. »

A Hawks forever

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

He already has the numbers to open the Hall of Fame doors once he retires. Prior to the Montreal visit, he had 1,215 points (439 goals, 776 assists) in 1,155 games.

He also wore a single uniform, that of the Hawks, for his first 16 seasons in the NHL. But that could change quickly.

“Yeah, it would be hard 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 black hawk. But no matter what happens, it will not change this reality. »

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

Happy for roof

Kane also slurred a few words about Dach, a former Blackhawks third overall pick in 2019.

“Dach’s success doesn’t surprise me,” he said. He’s 21 or 22 years old. It takes time to adapt to the NHL. He’d probably been pushed into the NHL. He sometimes played in a fourth row, it wasn’t the best for his development. With the Canadian he plays an important role, he plays great minutes and he produces. I’m happy for him. »