Patrick Kane to NYR (again) Fact or Fiction?
By Marvin Azrak
Diving into the Patrick Kane Rumor: Cap Space, Roster Dynamics, and Feasibility for the New York Rangers. Is this possible? Find out in our analysis.
Hey, New York Rangers fans, let’s discuss recent rumors about Patrick Kane and the New York Rangers. Frank Seravalli has brought up the idea of Kane possibly joining the Rangers, and it’s not the first time this has been brought up. Each time it is, we ask the same question: “Does it make sense?”
Examining the Possibility of Patrick Kane Re-joining the Blueshirts:
First, the Rangers’ cap space situation is as tight as ever. They’ve been known to maneuver cap space during the season, but it’s still a challenging puzzle. One significant injury could make bringing in someone like Kane even harder.
Seravalli mentions the Rangers feeling like they have some “unfinished business” with Kane. They liked what he brought to the locker room, not just his scoring abilities.
"The New York Rangers are also a team that are paying attention to Kane, and for good reason. You saw what they had to give up last year to get him; they knew at the time he wasn’t fully healthy. It didn’t quite come together like it probably should have, but I think they were really impressed with the way he entered and was a leader. They were just kind of hoping, wishing and praying he’d be at the Kane 88 showtime level we are used to. I think in the back of his mind, he’s also certainly intrigued on what it would be like to go back there. Maybe sort of finally put that piece back together."
Currently, the Rangers have young guns like Kaapo Kakko and Alexis Lafreniere making strides in the top six.
If they keep performing, it’s unlikely they’ll be bumped down for Kane. The only player who might be moved to accommodate Kane is Blake Wheeler, but that’s unlikely. Yes he was benched on Saturday. Still, it’s not enough.
Wheeler would need a cogent drop in performance, and he’s got a 35+ contract, so retiring wouldn’t free up his cap hit.
Meanwhile, Kane, who turns 35 in November, doesn’t qualify for an age 35+ contract with performance bonuses.
These contracts are reserved for players already 35 years old on July 1st of the respective season.
Last season, the Rangers acquired Kane and his expiring contract from the Blackhawks in exchange for a second-round draft pick and a fourth-round draft pick.
He tallied five goals in 19 regular season games and added seven assists.
When the playoffs rolled around, Kane continued to be a valuable asset. During the Rangers’ first-round series against New Jersey, he contributed with one goal and six points, but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to push the Blueshirts past the Devils, and they fell in a hard-fought seven-game series.
He did this while playing through an injured hip.
Kane underwent surgery on June 1st, with a recovery time of 4-6 months. He projects to return around November. When the time comes, should the Rangers take a shot?
Personally, it’s a tough sell, especially considering the chemistry the Rangers need for a successful season. It took time for Kane to fit in when he arrived. Right now, it doesn’t seem like a move they should make. Yet we’ll see what happens.