Patrick Kane, left, and Jonathan Toews have raised Chicago's fortunes in the Western Conference over the past three seasons. (Mark Humphrey/Associated Press)

The Chicago Blackhawks have announced a news conference for Thursday afternoon, where it is expected they'll announce long-term deals for young linchpins Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith and captain Jonathan Toews.

Kane and Toews will receive five-year extensions worth $31.5 million US, CBCSports.ca has learned, with Keith to get a whopping 13-year deal worth $72 million.

Keith’s deal will be an annual salary cap hit of $5.54, with the Toews and Kane deals each costing $6.3 million against the cap.

Kane, 21, has scored 155 points in 168 career regular season games, and was named league rookie of the year for the 2007-08 season.

Toews, just over six months older than Kane, has 139 points in 166 games and is the third-youngest captain in league history.

Keith, like Toews born in Winnipeg, has emerged over the past three seasons as one of the best young defenceman in the NHL. Keith, 26, has five goals and 18 assists in 26 games this season, and finished in the top 10 in league plus/minus the past two seasons.

The Buffalo-born Kane is considered a lock for the U.S. Olympic team, while Keith and Toews are hoping to make the Canadian team.

With the signings it is expected that Chicago will have to shed salary. The Blackhawks have 13 players who earn at least $2 million US.

Kane is the only one of the aforementioned trio among eight players on the team currently making over $3 million.