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New York Rangers: To Kane or not to Kane, that is the question

By Steve Paulus

MONTREAL, QC - MARCH 14: Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrates his first period goal with teammate Artemi Panarin #72 during the NHL game against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on March 14, 2017 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - MARCH 14: Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrates his first period goal with teammate Artemi Panarin #72 during the NHL game against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on March 14, 2017 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 25: Ryan Lindgren #55 of the New York Rangers reacts as the Colorado Avalanche celebrates by winning in a shootout at Madison Square Garden on October 25, 2022, in New York City. The Avalanche won 3-2. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 25: Ryan Lindgren #55 of the New York Rangers reacts as the Colorado Avalanche celebrates by winning in a shootout at Madison Square Garden on October 25, 2022, in New York City. The Avalanche won 3-2. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

What would it take?

The X-factor when it comes to Patrick Kane is that he holds all of the cards.  With a full No Movement Clause, he can decide where he wants to play.  Chicago GM Kyle Davison needs to get something for Kane, but if Kane wants to play only in New York and only for the Rangers, Davison loses a lot of leverage.

The one thing that Chris Drury can not do is overpay.  In 2014, Martin St.  Louis insisted on a trade to the Rangers, the only team he would play for.  He still had another year on his contract and had led the league in scoring in 2012-13.  But one could still argue that Glen Sather gave up too much, trading Ryan Callahan and two first-round picks.  It hurt even more since it came at a time when the Rangers had traded away most of their first-round picks for years.

Drury would be in a much better position when it comes to Kane.  He can afford to surrender one of their two first-round picks along with a prospect.  But he should hold the line and not give up too much. Their best prospect is Brennan Othmann and he should be untouchable.

One name that does come up is Vitali Kravtsov.  The former top-ten pick has yet to find his place in the NHL due to injuries and limited playing time.  If the last game was an audition of any kind, he did well to score against Chicago, displaying the skill level the Rangers thought he had when he was drafted in 2018.

A simple fact is if the Rangers can acquire Patrick Kane and sign him to an extension, there may be no room for Kravtsov who needs to be a top-six player.

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