Avs among favorites to land former MVP Patrick Kane if traded

Patrick Kane is one of the best players in hockey, and the Colorado Avalanche were just crowned the NHL’s best team, so maybe the two could join powers?

The Avalanche have just under $4 million in cap space, and Kane is in the final year of an eight-year, $84 million deal. While Kane’s $10.5 million cap hit wouldn’t slot in easily to Colorado’s roster, some moving around could make him an excellent fit.

Kane, the 2015-16 Hart Winner for the NHL’s MVP, has scored 430 goals and added 750 assists over his 1,107 games in 15 years. About to be 34 years old, Kane is chasing a fourth ring which won’t happen soon in Chicago due to the Blackhawks rebuilding. Kane is still a great player, getting more than a point per game in each of the last four seasons.

Oddsmakers say only the Edmonton Oilers at +300 have a better shot at landing Showtime than the Avs at +350.

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While Colorado still flirts with the idea of being back Nazem Kadri, they could need a top-six forward if Kadri goes elsewhere. But to bring Kadri back, they’ll likely need to trade Samuel Girard, multiple draft picks and prospects. To get back Kadri, who fills the second-line center role—while Kane is a winger, the Avs would likely only need to dump Girard.

There’s also a chance that Colorado can convince Chicago to retain some of Kane’s salary coming to Denver if it’s only a season. But this happens after you win a Stanley Cup; players want to come to your city and Cup chase.

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