Islanders Have Room and a Possible Trade Interest In Patrick Kane

There will be a number of teams that get mentioned in trade discussions surrounding Patrick Kane. And, while there will be plenty of interest, which teams have the wherewithal to add Kane at his salary (even a 50% retained version of that salary) will be the real question.

Stefen Rosner of NYI Hockey Now writes that the New York Islanders might be one of the teams that has the ability to make this trade. He mentions that the Islanders will have $10.895 million in available cap space by the NHL Trade Deadline, and from there if they can get the Blackhawks to retain salary, the Islanders could go out and add a defenseman too, something they know they need to make a long playoff push.

It’s not clear if Kane is interested in the Islanders as a potential landing spot, but Rosner wonders if the struggles for the New York Rangers this season have potentially changed their outlook on going big-game hunting and trying to reunite Kane with Artemi Panarin. Meanwhile, if the Islanders get involved, Rosner believes it won’t just be to add Kane as a rental. He thinks GM Lou Lamoriello will try to trade for him and then sign him to a multi-year deal.

What Is The Asking Price Going to Be for Patrick Kane?

Rosner knows that the expected ask from the Blackhawks is going to be high. He also wonders if many have the bar set too high. He writes, “It may very well only take a few picks, a first and second-rounder, and a top prospect to acquire Kane’s skill set.” That’s just a bit more than what it cost to get Claude Giroux out of Philadelphia and that’s a reasonable ask for teams that can afford his contract.

There’s also the not-so-small fact that Kane is struggling this season. The belief is that he’ll find his groove, but if he doesn’t, what team will pay an arm and a leg if they think he’s going to continue having a down year?

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