Is Kane Captain If Toews Is Traded?

The Chicago Blackhawks have made it loud and clear they are in a rebuild. Jonathan Toews had some not so positive things to say about playing for a rebuilding team. Obviously those two things combined are going to really hype up the trade rumors surrounding Toews. So with those rumors swirling, let's take a hypothetical situation and say Toews is traded, who gets the C next? Is it automatically Patrick Kane? Most fans would would probably say yes. But there is definitely an argument against it.

If the Blackhawks were to trade Toews, that all but confirms that they probably would move Kane if that is what he wanted. Which if that is the case, what sense does it make to give him the C? Why trade your captain, then turn around and appoint your new captain who you are actively shopping? Then you would just have to find another player to appoint captain. Just doesn't make a ton of sense.

If that was the case and Kane wanted to be traded, then I would think the Blackhawks look at a younger guy like Alex DeBrincat. If you look at when Toews was appointed captiain, it was just his second year in the league and he was 20 years old. The third youngest NHL captain in history. So nobody could try and say DeBrincat is too young for the responsibility.

But if Patrick Kane decides he doesn't want to be traded, then it is a no-brainer, he has to be the Blackhawks next captain. Patrick Kane is a guy who already has a presence in a locker room and the respect of his teammates. Putting the C on his chest would be the start of a new era of Blackhawks hockey. A rough era it will be no doubt, but what better guy than Patrick Kane to captain your team through it?


Kane and Toews best moments: