While he is ultimately no longer a member of the Chicago Blackhawks, there will be questions surrounding Patrick Kane’s status in Chicago. As this team tears down its roster and quickly descends into despair at being a lottery pick, how players like Kane and Jonathan Toews respond to so many losses will be a fascinating story to watch.
Apparently, the Edmonton Oilers wanted to know if one half of that iconic duo, Patrick Kane, was interested in going through some of this.
Oilers Kicked Tires on Patrick Kane Trade
According to Frank Serravalli of the Daily Faceoff, the Oilers called the Blackhawks before free agency and asked GM Kyle Davidson if Kane was free. He noted, “I believe the Oilers have checked on Patrick Kane, but right now he’s not ready to move.” Serravalli went on to say that Kane wants to see how he starts this season in Chicago. He notes that everyone expects some pain and Kane is willing to suffer some of the recovery process. If he does move, “it will probably be an in-season move.”
This is a very interesting development for several reasons. First, the Oilers did re-sign a different Kane. Evander Kane returned to Ken Holland and the organization after checking the market and realizing that the best fit for him was the Oilers with a four-year contract extension and reasonable numbers. Was this conversation with the Blackhawks the Oilers wanted to have when Evander looked like he was going elsewhere? If not, did the Oilers try to land both Kanes?
Related: Grievance case trivial, Holland signs perfect deal for Evander Kane
Second, even without [Evander] Kane, the Oilers would be tight against the cap. How they were going to put the pieces of trade together to land [Patrick] Kane making $10.5 million for one more season would be adorable. The team needed a goaltender and went out and found one in Jack Campbell. As great as Patrick Kane looked on this team, the netminder was a priority. But now that the Oilers have one and the potential to move more money off the books in various trades, is Patrick Kane still on their radar?
Could Holland revisit the idea of Patrick Kane?
Serravalli’s report that the Oilers have looked into it and have been told that Patrick Kane is waiting before deciding if he wants to stop means that teams will be keeping a close eye on what happens with the Blackhawks. At any time, Kane may decide it’s time to go and inform Davidson that he’s ready to go. At this point, if the Oilers are still interested, they should be by their phones.
Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)
The Patrick Kane trade has essentially become a deadline deal, and the Oilers are in prime position to make a push before the playoffs to give themselves the best chance to win it all. That includes moving a first-round pick or other assets to get the best player available at the deadline — which will likely be Chicago’s Kane. To date, the Oilers have held onto their first-round picks and not moved them for hire. This will be the year to go all-in if the Oilers are close.
What will the Oilers still do this season?
That Holland was interested in such a big move suggests several things. He sees this season as one where he is ready to put all his chips in the pot. He also seems to be looking for opportunities in the market. The Oilers GM played the Evander Kane situation well. If he looks at Patrick Kane, he thinks he has an opportunity to get one of the most dynamic players in the NHL with a salary cap from a team that makes hasty decisions and discards assets.
Edmonton still needs a point guard and maybe a depth center, but Kane on this list to round out the top six is a scary thought. This is a team that already has Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Evander Kane, Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on the top two lines. Adding Patrick Kane to that mix would make for the most dangerous top six the NHL has seen in decades.
Jim Parsons is a THW senior freelance writer, part-time journalist and audio/video anchor who lives, eats, sleeps and breathes NHL news and rumors while also writing articles about the Edmonton Oilers. He’s been a trusted source for five-plus years at The Hockey Writers, but more than that, he’s on a mission to keep readers abreast of the latest NHL rumors and trade talk. Jim is a daily necessity for readers who want to be “in the know.”
Other content contributions include: NHLtradetalk.com, The Sportster and hosting weekly video shows, THW News and Rumors Rundown, plus Oilers Overtime.
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