According to David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period, the Colorado Avalanche have contacted the Chicago Blackhawks about Patrick Kane. Kane has one more years after this one on his contact that pays him $10,500,000, so if a deal was to be made, some salary retention would definitely be required.
Kane is 33, turning 34 this year, but is still operating an an elite level, with 58 points in 53 points this season. The Colorado Avalanche have arguably the most skilled team in the league but have fizzled out each year in the playoffs. With the addition of Kane it would provide depth and leadership to a locker room that seem to desperately need it come playoff time.
The Chicago Blackhawks new General Manager announced last week that he intends to start a rebuild with the team, so it would be in Chicago's best interest to move Kane to jump start that rebuild. The return they could get for Kane far outweighs any other player on the roster, plus, if Kane's heart truly is in Chicago, he can return at the end of his current contract.
The only issue I can see with making this deal work would be cap space. Depending on the amount of retained salary, they could easily swing a deal to make this season fit under the cap, but this offseason: Kadri, Burakovsky, Nichushkin, Murray, Kuemper, Francouz and a few other players are all in need of contracts and a few will be demanding significant raises. So would bringing in Kane for one season be worth it for the Avalanche if it means they possibly lose a bunch of players in the offseason?
It would also be interesting to see the return they would receive for Kane. With players like Newhook, Barron, even Byram would be in conversation, the Hawks could definitely jump start a rebuild with prospects from the Avalanche.
