NHL Rumors: Edmonton Oilers Early Favorites to Land Patrick Kane

While don't expect to see a summer blockbuster in Chicago, Blackhawks legend Patrick Kane is expected to be traded at some point during next season. The pending free agent isn't thrilled with the recent direction of the team, and apparently has been butting heads with management for months. So leave it up to a betting company with some inside knowledge to have the Edmonton Oilers listed as the early favorites.

Our friendly degenerates at @betonline_ag are here to stir the shit on a quiet summer's day. pic.twitter.com/gTQT5blHIu

— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) July 20, 2022

Kane is due $10.5 million next season, so salary retention is a must. The Oilers are a new team to be linked to the all-star forward as the New York Rangers have been deemed heavy favorites for the past couple of seasons. Kane's favorite teammate is Artemi Panarin and he has ties to New York, so it seems like a match made in hockey heaven.

Regardless of the betting odds, it does sound like the Blackhawks are going to be patient here and wait out the start of the season to see what happens. In no way are Kane or captain Jonathan Toews pleased with what's transpired in the Windy City as one offseason they are shipping out first round picks for Seth Jones and signing Vezina trophy winner Marc-Andre Fleury. Just to turn around and completely blow up their roster.

Patrick Kane has 1 year @ $10.5M Cap Hit. However, with $4M Signing Bonus paid, has just $2.9M in salary for this season.

If #Blackhawks retained 50%, they would carry $1.45M cash & $5.25M Cap Hit.

If a 3rd team retained 25%: 725K cash & $2.625M Cap Hithttps://t.co/dMe4TU2SE0 https://t.co/PsN8EcYpXu

— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) July 20, 2022

Most even-strength points in NHL regular-season games since the start of the 2014-15 season:
1. Patrick Kane (477)
2. Connor McDavid (470)
3. Johnny Gaudreau (437)@statmuse pic.twitter.com/XRCNEieAfX

— BlackhawksMuse (@BlackhawksMuse) July 20, 2022

A number of teams have inquired about Patrick Kane in recent days, but they've been told a trade is unlikely at this time.

Kane and #Blackhawks have been in continuous dialogue. He'd like to see how season goes, and it would be an in-season move - if at all.@DailyFaceoff

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 13, 2022

Friedman on 32TP: "Last year Colorado was one of the teams that inquired about Patrick Kane before the trade deadline to see if he was available. If, and I stress this is an if, if Patrick Kane is available I can see Colorado making another try for him".

— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) July 11, 2022

Photo credit:  Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports