REPORT: Edmonton Oilers looking to make BLOCKBUSTER trade before the season

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Ryan
August 19, 2022 (12:12)

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For the first time in Connor McDavid's career, the Edmonton Oilers made the Western Conference finals last season, but unfortunately got swept in 4 games to the eventual Stanley Cup champions.

The Oilers had one major need this offseason which was an update in net, which they did with signing UFA goalie Jack Campbell on opening day of free agency. They also wanted to resign veteran scorer Evander Kane, which they also did to a very team friendly deal.

While we thought the Oilers would have been done after this, it appears that they are aggressively still trying to improve their top 6 even further.

According to NHL Insider Frank Seravelli of the Daily Faceoff, and also Gene Principe of Sportsnet, the Edmonton Oilers are looking to add a three time Stanley Cup champion to their team. Who might that be do you ask? That would be one of the best American born players of all time, Patrick Kane.

The Edmonton Oilers are attempting to bolster their offense even more, with Patrick Kane as their top target in their pursuit. Phil Kessel is also viewed as an option if the Kane plan falls through.

Salary retention would definitely be a part of the deal, as well as the possibility of a 3rd team to get involved for money purposes.

Kane is currently 33 and scored 92 points in 78 games last season on a very poor Chicago Blackhawks team. He is in the final year of a contract that has a $10,500,000 cap hit, but his actual salary is only $2,900,000.

If the Blackhawks retain salary for Kane, this is a very realistic option for the Oilers to further improve their top 6.

While the addition to Kane on any team would drastically improve them, I fear that the Oilers are continuing to follow the Maple Leafs system of just improving the top 6, instead of adding scoring depth with the bottom lines of the roster.