5 teams that could realistically trade for Patrick Kane,

With reports earlier today that 5 teams had contacted the Blackhawks for a potential Patrick Kane trade we immediately began to wonder what teams could make such a deal.

First of all any trade would need to take into consideration Kane's $10.5 million dollar cap hit, meaning that it would either require a team with significant cap space or would require large amounts of salary to be shifted on both sides.

#5 - The Winnipeg Jets

We think this destination is less likely simply because the Jets play in the Western Conference, with that said they certainly have the salary cap space to accommodate a trade of this magnitude.

Many believe that Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman's decision to trade Brandon Saad to Columbus was prompted by contract demands he believed were too high. Could trading Patrick Kane who the Blackhawks believe has "disrespected" the franchise to Winnipeg also be a fitting punishment?

#4 - The Buffalo Sabres

It's his home-town, it would be a very easy task marketing him to the local public assuming of course this entire situation is resolved. General manager Tim Murray of the Sabres has already demonstrated he's not afraid to make a big trade to acquire a top level talent.

Murray is working with over $12 million dollars in salary cap space at the moment and has taken advantage of conflict between a player and his team before when he acquired another Kane in Evander Kane from the Jets.

#3 - The New York Islanders

The Islanders are a team that have been struggling to find a way to take the next step with their current roster.

With currently over $9 million dollars in salary cap space and a general manager in Garth Snow who has proven to be very shrewd and the Islanders could look to a player like Kane to help them take that next step. A Kane and John Tavares pairing certainly would produce fireworks.

#2 - The Montreal Canadiens

Many believe that Montreal's lack of offensive production last season is what held them back, adding a forward like Patrick Kane could help them solve that problem.

Montreal however is only working with just under $3 million dollars in cap space some some serious moves would be required, perhaps a winger for winger deal involving Max Pacioretti who comes in at a very team friendly $4.5 million dollar cap hit. Chicago would need to take on another big contract, perhaps an Andrei Markov to make the financials work but could expect draft picks and/or prospects in return.

#1 - The Florida Panthers

The Panthers honestly seem like the most likely team to have inquired about Kane and the most likely to make a push to acquire him as well.

The team currently has over $11 million dollars in salary cap space so that hurdle is out of the way, the Panthers are a team loaded with young talent and a proven winner like Kane could really put them over the hump.

Florida also has a special connection to Patrick Kane as former Chicago general manager and current Florida general manager Dale Tallon who drafted Kane into the NHL.

Image courtesy Keystone Press.