Depends on Kane's playoff performance, if he does well we won't move him. If it's more of how he's played this season than we accept

PIT isn't bringing in Kane. Any team could have had a chance to get him, they passed then, they will pass now for the same reasons they did then.

why would anyone pay Lindholm 7M per with the season he's having right now?
Let alone give him 4 years term on it.
Or pay someone 7mil per to play 3C.... no one is paying a 3C 7mil per.

I believe the cost is lower now than it was before. We see the issues particularly with him and Perry. It's an emotional game, I get it. Arguments happen. But, I think the Oilers are ready to move on from Kane especially if he ends up not being a significant contributing factor in the playoffs. Smith is a very smart player who would work well with McDavid or Draisaitl. Penguins are in need of some grit and size. Kane brings that.

The Penguins are lacking a player who can play up in the top six for an extended period due to injuries. They've been pretty healthy all year, but when Rusty was hurt, having a guy like Lindholm on Sid's wing would've been incredible. This team is going to continue to get older, and injuries will occur more frequently. Obviously a guy like Stephenson is another good option, but I think Lindholm could be a game changer. When I think of expensive third-liners, I think of Phil Kessel. I think he was getting around $8m in his time here. Bottom six scoring is huge, if you can improve it, do it.

I could see EDM doing that depending on the playoff performance from Kane, however I'd assume we would want retention on Smith.
The one for one favours Kane who is still the better player, I dont think we'd downgrade to save 125K.

No. Smith is a downgrade on Kane, irrespective of Kane's forthcoming playoff performance. Edmonton isn't saving on cap hit, why would they downgrade? It makes no sense.

If Pittsburgh wants Kane, they should build an offer around Karlsson for Kane + Ceci. Smith is a no go.

Let's say the worst reality happens of us losing in RD1/2 and part of that is Kane being ineffective within the top 6 and having conflicts with other players. Considering he will have 3 years left at 5.1 million his value isn't going to be too high, Smith can be retained on and fits much better in a middle 6 role while Kane is like only effective when playing in the top 6. If he bounces back offensively in the playoffs in the top 6 then that's fantastic, but if he doesn't and continues to be lacklustre defensively while not scoring. I'd rather have Smith for one season who can play up and down the line-up without being frustrated

Kessel wasn't brought in to be a 3rd liner. He was brought in to play on Malkin's wing, it only happened neither one of them playing defense was a great fit on one line so they got split up.
You don't pay guys 7 mil per to play 12-13 minutes a night.
That's really all there is to that. If you want him to be a top 6 winger, fine. But that still doesn't change my mind you are vastly over paying for a guy considering the year he is having.

you can make what ever argument you want.
The penguins aren't bringing in Kane. Just forget that.
The cost is also not "lower" now.
Any team could have had him free as a FA.
Only EDM was desperate enough to go after him. Everyone else already knew what they were getting and didn't want anything to do with him. That still stands.
The penguins don't need "toughness" what they need are younger players who can actually bring legs that can work late in games. That has nothing to do with toughness.

Smith can't play up and down the lineup, he's a 3rd liner at this point in his career, not physical, not a goal scorer. Kane is twice the player offensively, and is a perfect fit for the Oilers. He brings speed and physicality that pays dividends in the playoffs even when he isn't scoring (and he scores about twice as often as Smith does).

And if you actually watched the Oilers you'd know that it was Perry who was angry, not Kane. Kane isn't frustrated, he doesn't have conflicts with other players. That's a false narrative.