The New York Rangers believe they have acquired the final puzzle piece to the Stanley Cup acquiring superstar Patrick Kane from Chicago following a week of salary cap maneuvering.
New York Rangers General Manager Chris Drury will have forward Patrick Kane in uniform tomorrow night when the team visits the Philadelphia Flyers following the announcement of a three-team trade that brings the 16-year veteran to play for the Bleushirts.
The Trade
-New York Rangers acquire Patrick Kane , Cooper Zech
-Chicago Blackhawks receive Andy Welinski, conditional second round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, fourth round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft
-Arizona receives Conditional third round selection in the 2025 NHL Draft
The three-time Stanley Cup champion has played his entire career for the Chicago Blackhawks. Trade rumors circulated as far back as last season that the Rangers were a destination Kane would like to go to. His no-trade clause gave him all of the leverage, but his heart prevented him from wanting to leave, until now.
Kane, 34, has skated in 54 games with the Blackhawks this season, tallying 16 goals and 29 assists for 45 points, including 10 points (7G-3A) over his last four contests. On Chicago, Kane ranks second in assists, goals, and points. He ranks tied for first on the club in power play points (18). Kane has totaled 446 goals and 779 assists for 1,225 points in 1,161 games across 16 seasons with Chicago.
Salary Cap Craziness
Kane is in the final year of an eight-year, $84 million contract that carries a $10.5 million salary cap. The team needed help in order to stay cap compliant which is why it was necessary to bring in a third team to complete the deal.
For Sunday’s 5-2 win over the L.A. Kings, the Rangers dressed 18 players, but only played 16 for the game as Ryann Carpenter (1 shift) and Braden Schneider (0 shifts) watch the game from the bench. The organization intended on sending one or both players to the minors for some salary cap relief and couldn’t risk them getting injured.
Schneider was assigned to the AHL Hartford Wolf Pack Sunday night and is anticipated to be recalled tomorrow. Carpenter will then be sent back to the minors to keep the club under the salary cap ceiling.
Kane was originally selected by the Blackhawks in the first round, first overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
Projected Lineup
Kanre will be flying out to New York and will make his Rangers debut Thursday night when the Rangers host the Ottawa Senators.
Kreider-Zibanejad-Tarasenko
Panarin-Trocheck-Kane
Lafrenière-Chytil-Kakko
Motte-Goodrow-Vessey
The trade puts the team in a vulnerable position with regard to potential injuries and the salary cap. They will be at a 21-man roster until the playoffs begin with seven defensemen, 12 forwards, and two goalies.