LeBrun: Patrick Kane’s decision, the Capitals’ next pieces to go and more trade

With one week left until the trade deadline, it goes without saying that anything reported this minute can be dated in a hurry.

But here’s some down-and-dirty updates from around the NHL one week from the March 3, 3 p.m. ET deadline:

• Patrick Kane’s agent Pat Brisson told me Thursday night that his superstar client remained undecided about waiving his no-movement clause. We could get a decision as early as Friday. Colleague Chris Johnston reported Friday a resolution is expected within 24 hours. It’s an emotional time for Kane, and I don’t blame the future Hall of Famer for struggling with it. If he does decide to get moved, as I’ve written before, I think he gives one team to Brisson and then it’s up to Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson to see if there’s a trade fit. Three teams that have interest and would make the most sense: the Rangers, Stars and Oilers. The betting money is on the Rangers; there’s mutual interest there if Kane decides he wants to move.

• The Capitals apparently sent out a note to other clubs Sunday saying that they were ready to listen to trade offers on pending unrestricted free-agent defenseman Dmitry Orlov. That was clearly a game-changer for the Bruins, who were deep in talks with Columbus on Vladislav Gavrikov. As our Blue Jackets beat writer Aaron Portzline reported, the Jackets felt they were getting a deal done with Boston, but the Bruins kept asking for more time, presumably to clear up more cap space. It shows you how quickly things change around the deadline. Orlov wasn’t available until this week after the fading Caps kept losing games. He’s a top-pair defenseman. Smart move by Bruins general manager Don Sweeney to pivot.

• It was also the right call for Caps GM Brian MacLellan to be totally honest about his struggling team. It was difficult for him to make that trade, but he had to recoup assets when it was clear he couldn’t re-sign Orlov, and he was able to do so before Boston traded its first-round pick elsewhere. I mean, how many first-round picks are still going to move? The Islanders, Maple Leafs and Rangers have already moved their first-rounders, and these picks don’t grow on trees. Washington decided it had to move quickly on Orlov. All the more reason the Blue Jackets are seething.

• The Capitals are now actively listening on a number of their pending UFAs, but the impression I get is that they don’t want to do a total sell-off, either. There’s a balance they’re going to try to pull off between trading pending UFAs but also keeping and perhaps signing others. They want a competitive team next season.

But I’m guessing Lars Eller gets traded, for example. Pending UFA defensemen Nick Jensen and Erik Gustafsson both were in contract talks with the Caps as late as last week. But of course, so was Orlov’s camp. Do the Caps trade both those blueliners? I could see them trading one and signing the other. Meanwhile, I also think they will be…