Blackhawks deny members of the Toronto media access to Patrick Kane post-game
Patrick Kane has now jumped near the top of the Toronto Maple Leafs wish-list over the last few weeks after it was reported that he would be willing to waive his no-trade clause and accept a move to Toronto. He was rather shocked by the Vladimir Tarasenko trade to the New York Rangers because he had circled New York as his prime destination.
Lo and behold, the Maple Leafs hosted Kane's Chicago Blackhawks tonight and it went as expected with the home team taking down one of the NHL's worst by a score of 5-2. Kane went pointless, was a minus 1, had 4 shots on goal, and played 18:05 TOI. His American counterpart in Auston Matthews returned from a lengthy absence and scored the eventual game winning goal in the first period.
After the game, the Blackhawks PR team announced that Patrick Kane would not be taking any questions from the Toronto media. The trade deadline is in 2 and a half weeks, trade talks have been ramping up, and it's no coincidence that Kane to Leafs rumours have only intensified with a matchup in Toronto on horizon.
Kane is in the midst of his worst season of his career with 9 goals and 35 points through 50 games. He's been dealing with nagging injuries throughout the season, not to mention the constant trade rumours and questions about NMC, but also adding into the equation that the Blackhawks are blatantly tanking and tearing down the foundation.
Kane hasn't shied away about his thoughts on the situation and any team that trades for him will be getting a playoff performing veteran who has 3 Stanley Cups, 48 points in 35 series clinching or series staving games, and a Conn Smythe under his belt.
