Inside the Patrick Kane trade: How it went down and why the Blackhawks got so little in return

In his last four games in a Blackhawks jersey, he scored seven goals and added three assists. He’s still that guy. He’s still worth a lot.

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So how did it come to this? How did Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson get just a conditional second-round pick in 2023 — which could become a 2024 or 2025 first-rounder only if the Rangers make it to the conference final in the ludicrously loaded Eastern Conference — and a 2023 fourth-rounder for arguably the greatest player in franchise history, one who’s less than a year removed from a 92-point season? And how was that actually better than most of the hockey world expected?

Well, trades are based on leverage. And the Blackhawks had none.