Patrick Kane’s time with the Chicago Blackhawks is coming to an end.
Ahead of the 2023 NHL trade deadline, Kane remains one of the biggest names on the market. Hockey fans have known for some time that Kane was on his way out in Chicago and now it seems his days on the team are numbered.
Kane is currently in the last year of an eight-year, $84 million deal, with a hefty $10.5 million cap hit attached and a no-trade clause he’d have to wave to boot. A pretty big price to pay, to be sure, with Kane having 14 goals and 41 points on a truly awful Blackhawks team this season. Still, there’s no reason not to believe Kane will bounce back on a more talented team, especially after putting up a hat trick in his most recent game.
These are the five NHL teams that could trade for Kane ahead of the 2023 deadline.
Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers have their fingers in a lot of pies ahead of the trade deadline. It’s clear Edmonton wants to add offense before the March 3 deadline and Kane would be one sure-fire way to do so in the Western Conference wild card race. Though the current frontrunners for Erik Karlsson, the Oilers would no doubt drop everything to get Kane if they could to add him to an already deadly offensive top six.
The biggest problem for the Oilers is the cap, as they’d have to move out significant space to add Kane even with salary retention. Do the Oilers have the pieces to tempt Chicago into a deal? Only time will tell.
Vegas Golden Knights
Since becoming the NHL’s 31st team, the Golden Knights have never shied away from big trades. And due to the injury of Mark Stone, Vegas is looking for a way to shore up their offensive front headed into the playoffs. The Golden Knights have always been crafty with the salary cap — perhaps too much so for their own good — so you can never count them out on big-name players.
It’s clear the Golden Knights want to continue making waves in the NHL to win a Stanley Cup and Kane could be just what they need to get them there.
Dallas Stars
After going 3-2-5 in their last 10 games, the Stars need a jolt if they want to keep their No. 1 spot in the Central Division. Adding Kane would not only give their offensive depth some more fire, but it could make them possible playoff favorites in an overall weaker Western Conference.
Would Kane want to wave his no-trade clause to go to Dallas? Considering the Stars are only a few years removed from their appearance in the 2020 Stanley Cup Final, there are clearly worse options out there. Plus, Jason Robertson is one of the best offensive players in the game right now, making the Stars an exciting team to watch night in and night out.
Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres are the most fascinating option on this list. It’s hard to say if Kane would want to wave his no-trade clause to come to Buffalo, of all places, considering the team’s poor history, but wouldn’t it be fun? The Sabres have been one of the big surprises of the 2022-23 NHL season — in part thanks to Tage Thompson’s breakout year — and have a real chance at snagging a playoff spot out from one of the East’s usual suspects.
While the Sabres may not have a deep playoff run in them this year, adding Kane to the mix would definitely make some noise. Plus, Buffalo is Kane’s home town and we all know how much the NHL loves bringing local boys home.
New York Rangers
Yes, the Rangers did just trade for Vladimir Tarasenko. But if they really wanted to go all in this season, Kane could very well be within their grasp if they make some nifty salary cap gymnastics. The good folks at PuckPedia put together the math on a possible scenario for the Rangers to make Kane fit under their salary cap.
Due to popular demand: Can #NYR still fit Kane in cap-wise? YES! How?
-Waive/Demote 1 player (ex. Leschyshyn) now. Would have room for $1.89M cap hit @ deadline
-Acquire Kane @ 75% retained ($2.625M) & Move out Kravtsov ($875K); Net Cap Hit added $1.75Mhttps://t.co/ZChJOZJ05q— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) February 20, 2023
Look, I get that it’s not likely but what a story it would be. Especially after Kane expressed incredible disappointment that the Rangers traded for Tarasenko instead. As always around the trade deadline, sometimes the best course of action is rooting for chaos to take the wheel.
