Coming off the New York Rangers 7-1 dismantling of the Chicago Blackhawks, it is a good time to weigh in on the Patrick Kane speculation. True, it’s been debated ad nauseam and Larry Brooks of the New York Post keeps saying that it is inevitable. I’m not so sure about that, but it is worth the discussion.
During the telecast from Chicago, we saw the obvious connection between Artemi Panarin and his former teammate and that’s a good reason to debate the merits of a Kane trade. From their goofing off during the pregame skate, it’s clear that these two players adore each other and have chemistry. There is no doubt that they click and the one absolute fact is that Patrick Kane would be a better right wing with Mika Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin than anyone the Rangers have on the current roster.
Much has been made about a deterioration in Kane’s play. He is 34 years old and after scoring 26 goals and 92 points last season, he is on pace this season to score 11 goals and 49 points. That would make this his worst NHL season by far. Of course, he is playing for a team that has lost 21 of their last 24 games. With a supporting cast so mediocre, can you blame him for his lack of production?
We got a glimpse of his skill at the Garden on December 3 when his power-play goal and two power-play assists propelled the Hawks to their 5-2 win over the Blueshirts. The question is whether that was an aberration or an example of him playing the way he can.
Let’s not forget that Patrick Kane is a future Hall of Famer. He will likely end up as the highest-scoring USA-born player in NHL history. He’s a three-time Stanley Cup champion who has 52 goals and 132 points in 136 playoff games. And again, he is a year removed from a 92-point season for a bad team.
So, in considering trade for Kane, we have to assume that on a contender and in the playoffs, he will play the way he has in the past. He may not be a Hart or an Art Ross Trophy contender, but he is head and shoulders above most NHL players when it comes to skill.
Is this the year?
Before the Rangers embarked on their seven-game winning streak, the answer from the majority of Ranger fans most likely would have been no. But now, the Blueshirts are back in the playoff hunt, within striking distance of a first place in a very competitive Metropolitan Division.
There’s no doubt that they remain a flawed team, but with so many of their stars in their prime, the Rangers have to be in “win now” mode. When they are at their best, the Blueshirts can skate with any NHL team, but inconsistency has been their Achilles’ heel this season. Tuesday’s game in Pittsburgh will tell us a lot.
The fact is if the Rangers need to keep winning and they are poised for another long playoff run. There’s no better time to go for it. With the recently revamped lines, Coach Gerard Gallant has found a formula that works. The new lineup is deeper and has better balance and adding to it will only make it better.