If he was that hellbent on leaving Edmonton he could have done what Tkachuk did or signed a deal taking him to UFA. He took the full 8 years, Edmonton would have had no choice but to give him what he wants.
Or he felt an obligation to try and win a championship for the team that drafted him. He gave them the better part of his prime years, he has earned the right to go play where he desires.
He could force his way out tomorrow just by requesting a trade.
First, that isn't what he wants. He wants to try and win a Cup in Edmonton while he is there. Second, why would he cost the team he intends to sign with major assets when they can just sign him in another year?
Maybe 5-10 years ago when those players weren't all washed
I've said it before - the Oilers' management seems like casual fans who haven't kept up with the game and hear a name they recognize - "Oh he's pretty good isn't he".
Did the Oilers ever put Kane on LTIR? Not sure how their cap situation looks going into the trade deadline but I assume their hope is that Kane remains injured and they can put him on LTIR (if he’s not already on it) just before the deadline to make cap space and trade for someone… but that will depend on Kane staying off the roster for the remainder of the regular season. It would be hilarious if Kane refuses to pull a Kucherov and forces them to activate him during the regular season so they can’t make the trade they want.
Did the Oilers ever put Kane on LTIR? Not sure how their cap situation looks going into the trade deadline
Kane is already on LTIR, which means the Oilers aren't accruing any cap space. They can theoretically add a replacement player up to about $4 million, but they'd have to clear that salary (and more) when Kane is fit to play again.
If they don't add any salary, they can activate Kane just by waiving one of their other forwards.
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]First, that isn't what he wants. He wants to try and win a Cup in Edmonton while he is there. Second, why would he cost the team he intends to sign with major assets when they can just sign him in another year?
Great. He won't.
If he wanted to win he would have forced himself out ages ago. It's been obvious they can't build a proper team around him for 10 years. He wants to show loyalty to a team that drafted him like it was a favour? He's the (supposedly) best player of his generation and they wasted it. If I was him I'd be pissed and be on my way to win anyway I could, who gives a s*** what happens to this crappy team in nowheresville that's never done anything for me? "They paid him! They drafted him!" So would have literally anyone else. Thats not something special that Edmonton did for him.
I've said it before - the Oilers' management seems like casual fans who haven't kept up with the game and hear a name they recognize - "Oh he's pretty good isn't he".
