2022 was not a great year for the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Hawks won just 25 games in the calendar year. They finished next to last in the Central division in the 2021-22 season and are currently in dead last this year.
That is thanks in part to the Blackhawks beginning a necessary long-term rebuild.
That meant trading away Brandon Hagel, Kirby Dach, and Alex DeBrincat. Dominik Kubalik and Dylan Strome were allowed to walk in free agency.
Hopefully, all this losing pays off in the long haul and general manager Kyle Davidson can restock the farm system to get enough good, young players to contend for a Stanley Cup again.
To get there, a lot of losing must happen. It will not be fun to watch. There are still a few things to be hopeful for in 2023 for the Chicago Blackhawks.
Kyle Davidson gets a good return when he trades Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and other veteran players.
Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews have been franchise icons for a decade-plus. Both are set to be free agents after the season.
While watching these legends still skate in a Blackhawks sweater is one of the few reasons to turn the Hawks on, they are more valuable to the Chicago Blackhawks in the trade market.
Kane is having a down year in goals with just seven, but he is still a playmaker with 20 assists. Toews is playing much better after last season as he has 11 goals. He can still win a faceoff with the best of them.
Any contending team would want Kane or Toews playing for them and helping win a Stanley Cup. Both would have to waive their no-movement clause.
Kane might want to stay as he has always been conscious of his Blackhawks legacy.
Toews has not given any indication as to whether he would approve a trade.
Per @PierreVLeBrun, Pat Brisson says he’ll talk with Jonathan Toews & Patrick Kane about their futures “within the next 3 weeks” & that signing extensions with new teams as part of any potential trades is not likely going to be the case, but isn’t ruled out for either#Blackhawks
— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) December 29, 2022
If they do agree to leave the only franchise they have ever known, Davidson needs to get a good return of prospects and picks. Davidson needs to get as many top-100 picks as he can get in a deep draft.
If Kane and Toews do not waive their no-movement clauses, Davidson still has some pieces to trade before the deadline that should fetch a decent return of prospects or picks.
Max Domi is showing he can stay healthy and provide some offense. Andreas Athanasiou is also playing some good hockey and displaying he could help a contender.
Jack Johnson is a valuable veteran defender who has already won a Stanley Cup. A contender could be interested in Alex Stalock to provide goalie depth.
Davidson needs to keep acquiring more draft picks or prospects. Trading away two franchise icons is a way of accomplishing it-no matter how painful it will be to do.