Patrick Kane has been a frequent subject of media trade gossip this summer. Over the weekend, The Edmonton Journal‘s Kurt Leavins pondered what it might cost the Oilers to pry the 33-year-old winger away from the Chicago Blackhawks.
Despite his age, Kane remains among the NHL’s elite scorers. The Blackhawks will set a high asking price if he agrees to waive his no-movement clause before the 2023 trade deadline.
Leavins suggested the Oilers would have to part with a player, a first-round pick, a top prospect, and more. His colleague David Staples cited Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer proposed parting with Jesse Puljujarvi or Warren Foegle along with a first-rounder and some prospects.
The Boston Globe‘s Matt Porter suggested a package of Kailer Yamamoto and Tyson Barrie plus a first-rounder and a prospect. Jason Gregor of Oilers Nation wondered if Puljujarvi plus a first and a second-rounder would be enough.
Kane’s $10.5-million cap hit is a big sticking point but Gregor indicated he’s earning only $2.9 million in actual salary. He proposed a three-way trade with a club like the Arizona Coyotes that would see the Oilers only take on $2.65 million of Kane’s cap hit.
The biggest issue, however, is whether Kane would agree to be traded to Edmonton. While the possibility of skating alongside Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl is enticing, he might prefer to join an American-based Stanley Cup contender.
Kane has given no indication he wants a trade nor has he been approached by the Blackhawks about that possibility. It might not happen until the 2023 trade deadline. By that point, the Oilers could face a bidding war for his services that prices him out of their comfort zone.
