Kane, Toews to discuss futures in New Year

Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews are in the final year of their contracts and can become unrestricted free agents in July. They will meet with Chicago Blackhawks management in January to discuss their futures. Both players have full no-movement clauses in their contract. The teams interested in Kane include the New York Rangers, Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, New Zealand Islanders, Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs. Boston Bruins and Boston Red Sox are interested about Toews.  Sources say Chicago has had conversations with teams since the off-season, but trade negotiations have never intensified. It's too early to predict what the players will do.

The Vancouver Canucks have rejected a contract offer for captain Bo Horvat. The offer was for under $7.5 million per season over seven years.

Vancouver Canucks have offered J.T. Miller a new contract. The team is also interested in trading Brock Boeser and Jaden Peca. They are also considering trading Tyler Myers, Tanner Pearson and Conor Garland. Luke Schenn could be traded by the deadline or signed to an extension. The Canucks are four points out of a wildcard spot. It's possible they could let Miller walk as an unrestricted free agent in July.

The Canucks are trying to keep J.T. Miller in Vancouver. It took them 48-72 hours to get him locked into a new deal. The team's offer will have to hover around $8 million per season. If the team doesn't like what they see in the trade market, they could decide to pay up and keep him.

The NHL's Board of Governors meetings will conclude Tuesday morning. Next season's salary cap will only increase by $1 million. The NHL and NHLPA could negotiate to spread out the balance and have a higher salary limit next season.