Two new contenders enter Patrick Kane sweepstakes

Patrick Kane is stil a member of the Chicago Blackhawks, though we don’t know for how long. Ever since the rebuild progress kicked off in Chicago, there is a sense that Kane could ask out closer to the trade deadline in order to join a contender for another shot at a championship.

In past months, Kane has been linked to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers and his hometown Buffalo Sabres (though it’s hard to believe the Sabres would be in the playoff run this season). On Tuesday night, Mike Stephens of the Hockey News pointed out how two other teams could look to get into the Kane sweepstakes with the Detroit Red Wings and the Colorado Avalanche eyeing the star forward.

As Stephens points out: the Red Wings are no longer rebuilding. Detroit has the available cap space to take on Kane.

“Of all the clubs focused primarily on winning games next season, the Red Wings arguably have the most financial wiggle room, sitting with over $8 million in cap space to spend on any further upgrades of their choice. Kane would certainly fit that bill, requiring roughly $3 million to be moved out to make the money work.”

However, Kane could look to join the Avalanche, the defending champions. Despite losing Nazem Kadri to free agency, the Avs still look very good and could compete for a repeat.

“Kane would push them right back to the top of the heap once again, allowing a player like Artturi Lehknonen to absolutely feast on bottom-six matchups and effectively lengthen the depth of their already deep roster,’” as Stephens writes.

However, money will be tight in Denver, but we all know that GM Joe Sakic fan make it happen.

More options for Kane, where will he choose to go if a trade takes place?