Leafs potential deadline targets narrowing by the day after latest announcement from another top rental

Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews entered this season unsure of whether they would be traded or even if they wanted to be traded. Both are in the final year of their lengthy contracts that pay them $10.5M each for the season. The ask for Toews is certainly not as high as it is for Kane, but as of today, Kane is not sure if he wants to play somewhere else.

Kane spoke with reporters Monday as the Hawks resumed activities following the All-Star weekend in which neither he or Toews took part in. "There's definitely opportunities out there that are intriguing and could be exciting," Kane said of the currently level of interest from other teams.

Kane also touched on the injury concerns teams have about a reported nagging injury, saying "that's not really something for me to worry about. I just go about it the best I can."

If the Leafs were indeed one of the teams with an interest in Kane, those comments about his injury must be a bit concerning - especially with what we witnessed after the Nick Foligno deal in 2021. Beyond that, Kane's questionable availability is another red flag. The Leafs can't simply wait around for him if there's a chance he could pull the plug on any deal and decide to just remain in Chicago at the 11th hour.

Drafted first overall by the Blackhawks in 2007, Kane has spent his entire NHL career with the franchise. He's won three Stanley Cups (2010, 2013, 2015) is a nine-time NHL All-Star, has won the Calder Trophy (2008), Hart Memorial Trophy (2016), Art Ross Trophy (2016), Ted Lindsay Award (2016), and Conn Smythe Trophy (2013).

Along with all of the awards, Kane Kane has played in1,152 career regular season games, where he has 439 goals and 1,214 points. In 136 games playoff games, he has 52 goals and 132 points.