Will Patrick Kane be a Maple Leaf by the trade deadline?

The biggest question going into Wednesday night’s Leafs-Blackhawks game wasn’t who would win, but whether the Blackhawks might consider leaving Patrick Kane in Toronto when they left.

A three-time Stanley Cup champion and former Conn Smythe winner, Kane is the biggest fish among forwards believed to be available at the trade deadline, and the Leafs have a pressing need for a top-six winger.

Kane is having an underwhelming season by his standards (nine goals, 26 assists), but so are the Chicago Blackhawks.

And Kane had an underwhelming night, seemingly not engaged at all in the play in Toronto’s 5-2 win, perhaps trying to avoid injury. He was minus-1, but still played 18 minutes and led the Blackhawks with four shots on goal.

The 34-year-old is at the end of an eight-year contract paying him $10.5 million (U.S.) a year and could bolt this summer as a free agent, leaving the rebuilding Hawks with nothing to show. It’s believed the Blackhawks are actively shopping Kane and his long-time partner, captain Jonathan Toews, who has an identical contract.

Former Maple Leaf Carlo Colaiacovo — now a TSN radio personality — directly linked Kane to the Maple Leafs.

“Based on people I’ve talked to, if Patrick Kane were to accept a trade somewhere, the two teams on his list are the Rangers and the Leafs,” Colaiacovo said on radio.

Kane chose not to speak with reporters following Wednesday’s game, the team’s PR department saying after a loss like that questions about Kane’s future would be inappropriate.

“He’s a leader in this locker room, so it’s tough,” said Blackhawks teammate Max Domi. “Everyone gets frustrated when we’re losing. No one wants to lose. Definitely not him. He’s one of the most competitive guys every night.

“So we’ve just got to do a better job of helping him out. He’s handling it great and selfishly I hope he stays. But whatever happens is best for him.”

Kane holds all the cards, with a no-movement clause. He’s already expressed disappointment that the New York Rangers already made a big move by trading for Vladimir Tarasenko from the St. Louis Blues.

There are other forwards linked to the Leafs, like San Jose power forward Timo Meier, St. Louis speedster Ivan Barbashev, or even Blues captain Ryan O’Rielly.

It might take some cap calisthenics — like the Blackhawks holding half of Kane’s salary, and maybe involving another team to do the same — but adding a proven winner like Kane could be what the Leafs need.

“He’s an unbelievable player and puts you on the edge of your seat every time he’s out there,” said Leafs star Auston Matthews. “In my experience, it’s always fun playing up against him and then playing against him. He’s been an extremely elite player ever since he stepped into the league. It’s a lot of fun not competing against guys like that.”

Kane has been a one-team player, drafted first overall in 2007. Seeing him in another jersey might be odd.

“I think it’d be a little weird, but I think it’s been weird seeing them (the Blackhawks) not in the playoffs, because of the runs that they’ve had. You never know what can happen.He’s an amazing player, great guy. He just has to play hockey and compete.”

Toews — currently on injured reserve — and Kane are synonymous with the Blackhawks three most recent Stanley Cups (2010, 2012 and 2015).

“I think obviously they want to probably do what’s right, knowing them as people as I have and as players,” said Leafs captain John Tavares. “They’ll handle he situation the best they can.

“Throughout their time in Chicago, they’ve had have had a lot of success and obviously been such a such a staple for the franchise. So I don’t think they really ever thought it was going to possibly come to this. But just the way they’ve been talking about it, handling this situation now, (a trade) is becoming more and more likely.”

Kevin McGran is a Star sports reporter based in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @kevin_mcgran