KANE, TOEWS TO DISCUSS FUTURES IN NEW YEAR

LOS ANGELES, CA — It is still too early to predict what Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews plan on doing later this season, but according to sources, the two superstars are expected to meet with Chicago Blackhawks management in the New Year to discuss their futures with the club.

Kane and Toews are in the final year of their respective contracts and can become unrestricted free agents in July.

There has been plenty of speculation over their futures dating back to last season. Both players have full no-movement clauses in their contracts and will dictate where they end up, if moved.

However, it remains premature to guess what direction they will go.

During my regular Monday appearance on TSN690 in Montreal, I noted that both players, along with their agent Pat Brisson, will have a discussion with management once the calendar flips to 2023. That is likely to occur at some point in January, though a final decision may not come until later in the season. My guess would be after the All-Star break, which would give the Blackhawks a little over four weeks to work the lines before the March 3 trade deadline.

Kane and Toews want to know their options before deciding whether or not they want to pursue another Stanley Cup championship with a different organization.

There has been more chatter connected to Kane than Toews, with teams like the New York Rangers, Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, New York Islanders, Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs, among other clubs, having shown interest in Kane going back to last season. The Avalanche and Boston Bruins are two clubs, among others, that have inquired about Toews.

As I mentioned on Monday, contrary to numerous denials from the Blackhawks, multiple sources have told us Chicago has had conversations with teams about both players since the off-season. Those sources also reiterated that while talks occurred, trade negotiations have never intensified. That clearly makes sense as both Kane and Toews haven’t OK’d any move or provided a list of teams they’d sign off on.

Last season, leading up to the trade deadline, teams expressed a willingness to pursue Kane, but the veteran winger was not prepared to move on from the only NHL club he’s ever known. There have been recent reports suggesting the 34-year-old is still unclear as to whether or not he’d welcome a move. That picture, along with that of Toews, should become brighter in the next one or two.

BO NO!

As Rick Dhaliwal first reported on Monday, the Vancouver Canucks recently pitched captain Bo Horvat a new long-term contract that was rejected. For now, the Canucks have indicated that they will explore trading the 27-year-old between now and the trade deadline.

According to sources, the Canucks’ offer, which was presented roughly two or three weeks ago, is believed to be under $7.5 million per season over seven years.

As Canucks GM Patrik Allvin navigates the trade waters, it’s hard to determine if this latest offer was their “final offer,” as it’s being presented to the media. And there are a few factors as to why:

• The Canucks pulled a 180 on everyone prior to the season and upped their offer to keep J.T. Miller in Vancouver. The belief, at the time, was that negotiations hit a brick wall and the team was dead set on trading him after coming close in July. It took roughly 48-72 hours to get him locked into a new deal after the team reengaged. So, that scenario is a possibility for Horvat, but their offer will have to hover around $8 million per season.

• If Allvin and Jim Rutherford don’t like what they see in the trade market, they could determine they’re better off paying up and keeping him than moving him for less than market value.

• If the first part of scenario two plays out, they could hold on to him if they’re in the playoff race and let him walk as an unrestricted free agent in July. I’m not entirely sold on this option, though.

• Horvat and his agent could have a change of heart and decide to lower their asking price and sign Vancouver’s offer. Another scenario that seems, as of today, unlikely, but a scenario, nonetheless.

Allvin has his hands full, there’s no doubting that. Trying to trade Brock Boeser is difficult enough, now he’s got to worry about potentially moving his captain, too. Plus, the team remains willing to deal Tyler Myers, Tanner Pearson and Conor Garland, and they need to decide what they want to do with Luke Schenn — trade him by the deadline or sign him to an extension.

Fun times in Vancouver, who sit four points out of a wildcard spot.

CAPPED CAP

The NHL’s Board of Governors meetings will conclude Tuesday morning and the expectation is next season’s salary cap will only increase by $1 million, as originally planned.

There was hope the NHL’s revenues would climb enough this season to pay off the NHLPA’s escrow debt, pushing the cap to around $86.5 million, but I’m told it’s likely sticking to the $83.5 million cap previously outlined in the revised CBA.

The NHL and NHLPA could always negotiate to spread out the balance and have a higher salary cap next season, but that’s yet to be determined.

Update: NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman told reporters earlier today that next season’s salary cap is likely to increase by just $1 million, as $70 million in escrow is projected to remain by the end of this season.