Rangers are refusing to leave the Patrick Kane sweep stakes
By Conor Power
After adding Vladimir Tarasenko, Niko Mikkola, and Tyler Motte to the roster ahead of the trade deadline, there have been questions asked about the possibility of adding someone like Patrick Kane. While the math becomes incredibly difficult, it is still well and truly possible for the Rangers to strike a deal with the Chicago Blackhawks for the Buffalo, New York native who seemed quite upset when the Rangers added Tarasenko.
Kane has been seen as a long-time target for his hometown Rangers who are trying to go deep in the playoffs and would be a team that Kane himself is likely to waive his no-movement clause for. However, his cap hit is $10.5 million, and even half retained, that is $5.25. If there is a third team to retain a further 25% of Kane’s cap hit, that is still $2.125 million against the cap and the Rangers just do not have that kind of space. They would have to drop they’re extra forward and have a straight swap for Kane on the roster.
Yet, the New York Post has reported that the Rangers are not out of the race for arguably the greatest-born American player of all time. With the Rangers still needing another top-six piece ideally, Kane seems to remain on the radar of Chris Drury and the New York front office. It seems like a player that wants to be a New York Ranger and with Kane#s pedigree, it is hard to suggest that the feeling may not be mutual.
There are red flags here. Kane is reportedly dealing with a long-term hip issue that will need surgery to clean up in the summer according to Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts podcast. Kane is willing to play through the pain and has been doing so for as long as a few years according to reports. It shows guts to be willing to play through hip issues, but it does suggest that this isn’t a long-term answer.
Since the Rangers traded for Vladimir Tarasenko, Patrick Kane has been on one heck of a heater. Seemingly taking that game personally, he has 10 points in his last 4 games and is trying to increase his value late. Whether or not he is starting to play himself out of the affordability of a team like New York may be a question you wish to raise, but the Rangers still have a first round pick to move for him if they choose to.