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Rangers regular season review: The top six

By Conor Power

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 10: The New York Rangers tap the boards during the game against the Buffalo Sabres at Madison Square Garden on April 10, 2023 in New York City. The Sabres defeated the Rangers 3-2 in the shootout. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 10: The New York Rangers tap the boards during the game against the Buffalo Sabres at Madison Square Garden on April 10, 2023 in New York City. The Sabres defeated the Rangers 3-2 in the shootout. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Patrick Kane #88 of the New York Rangers leaves the ice following a 3-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs at Madison Square Garden on April 13, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 13: Patrick Kane #88 of the New York Rangers leaves the ice following a 3-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs at Madison Square Garden on April 13, 2023, in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Patrick Kane

After the Rangers acquired Vladimir Tarasenko from the St Louis Blues, there were reports coming out of Chicago that one of the best players in this history of the sport, and possibly the best North American player ever was unhappy due to the Rangers not picking up the New York native. It is suspected that upon hearing that, Rangers owner James Dolan tapped management on the shoulder and insisted they make it work.

Well, Patrick Kane is a New York Ranger now. While we may not know how this came about for a few years, we know that the Rangers’ right wing is stronger with the Buffalo native on it. The Rangers had to suffer up against the cap after picking him up. Despite never using LTIR, the Rangers were using 99.98% of their available cap space at one point just to show you what hoops they jumped through for Kane.

Since arriving in New York, Kane has produced modestly. After a slow start, Kane has put up five goals and seven helpers for 12 points in 19 games. It doesn’t seem like much but while remembering that Kane is dealing with an ongoing hip injury, the Rangers had to funnel him through the NHL’s version of the Virgin Islands to get him, and his want to be a New York Ranger, it’s better than nothing.

Kane is not the hall-of-fame caliber player he was back when he was spearheading the Chicago Blackhawks dynasty through the playoffs to reach the holy grail. He’s not going to be that for the Rangers. But this is a former Conn Smythe, Ted Lindsey, Calder, and even Hart winner. He’s won everywhere he’s gone and he’s got a ton of experience. He wasn’t brought in for the final 20 games of the regular season.

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