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Oilers Reportedly Make Patrick Kane “Plan A”, Phil Kessel as “Plan B”

Talk is picking up again that the Edmonton Oilers are targeting Patrick Kane out of Chicago and have identified him as Plan A.

If you listen to Bob Stauffer of Oilers Now (color man for Oilers radio broadcasts), you know that he doesn’t say things for the sake of simply saying them. When he throws out an idea, it’s typically because he’s got some insider knowledge that the organization has considered the option and Stauffer is subtly (sometimes, not-so-subtly) relaying that to the fan base. Of late, Stauffer has repeatedly said that the Oilers are looking at one of Patrick Kane or Phil Kessel.

Stauffer has said on almost every one of his shows this week (and in multiple segments to his guests during each show) that the Oilers aren’t done making moves. Whether that’s more to come this offseason or a big play ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline, he believes GM Ken Holland has more planned and the Oilers will continue to try and improve the roster.

Patrick Kane Edmonton Oilers
Patrick Kane Edmonton Oilers

Kessel is the easy fit for Edmonton, should they choose to go that route. He’s a UFA, which means the Oilers don’t have to give up anything to acquire him. He simply needs to be willing to sign and the Oilers need to shuffle around some money. Perhaps that’s easier said than done, but his name has been linked to the Oilers for weeks now. He’s a low-risk, lower-cost gamble and the belief is that a career-low in goal scoring last season was a blip on his resume. With Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl on his line, he should bounce back in a major way.

The other interesting name that seems to be gathering steam over the past few days is Patrick Kane. With rumors that the Chicago Blackhawks might be willing to move the player, Kane seems to be the primary target for the Oilers now, at least according to Sportsnet analyst Gene Principe. Principe says, “I have no doubt, in my mind, unless there are some extenuating circumstances that we don’t know about, that Patrick Kane would come to Edmonton for sure and I would take Phil Kessel as Plan B.” The thought is that the Blackhawks will eventually move Kane and that the Oilers want to make it clear they’re interested. With Duncan Keith expected to be working for the organization in some capacity, he may be tasked with selling Kane on the idea that Edmonton is a wise choice.

Principe loves the idea of either forward. He argues Kane would be the ideal option, but Kessel isn’t a bad choice either, Principe teasing Kessel could eat all the hot dogs he wants and still score 30 goals alongside Edmonton’s star forwards. Stauffer agreed that he’d like to see one of those two guys on the Oilers roster and added, “Why wait until the trade deadline, do it now!”

Would Kane Want Edmonton and Would Holland Be Willing to Pay the Price to Land Him?

Holland has held onto his first-round picks throughout his run as the GM of the Oilers. While he’s done an admirable job of making this team a top-eight club in the NHL, he’s held onto all of his top draft selections. Those players are starting to make the leap to the NHL and will be doing so over the next couple of seasons. Perhaps this season is the year Holland pushes all of his chips in. It would make sense to do so if Patrick Kane is available and willing to join the Oilers.

Next: Sean Monahan Deal to Montreal Offers Insight Into Price’s Status

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