The Colorado Avalanche are the reigning kings of the NHL after topping the 2021-22 NHL season with a Stanley Cup championship. But the year could even get better for the Avs if somehow they manage to land Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane in the offseason.

According to Elliotte Friedman of 32 Thoughts podcast (h/t Adrian Dater of Colorado Hockey Now), the Avalanche could be a team to watch out for in the event that the Blackhawks make Kane available.

“Last year Colorado was one of the teams that inquired about Patrick Kane before the trade deadline to see if he was available. If, and I stress this is an if, if Patrick Kane is available I can see Colorado making another try for him.”

Kane still has a year left on his current contract that would pay him $10.5 million in the 2022-23 NHL season, so he's going to be an expensive add for any team looking to execute a trade to get him. Moreover, it should be noted as well that Kane has a no-movement clause on his contract, which adds another layer to any discussion about a potential trade. The Avalanche still have $14.9 million in cap space, though, and is certainly an alluring destination for anyone looking to win the Cup, given the success they just had last season.

With skaters like Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and the ultra-talented blueliner Cale Makar, the Avalanche would have an embarrassment of riches if Kane soon becomes part of this stacked unit.

The  Blackhawks have pulled a lot of strings of late, with the team's front office having already traded Alex DeBrincat to the Ottawa Senators, Kirby Dach to the Montreal Canadiens, and acquired Petr Mrazek via trade from the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Blackhawks have also decided to let Dylan Strome and Dominik Kubalik become unrestricted free agents. These are moves pointing to a major rebuild in Windy City, one that might not be in line with the trajectory of Kane's remaining years in the NHL.

Kane, who will turn 34 in November, scored 26 goals and added 66 assists in the 2021-22 NHL season for the Blackhawks.