The New York Rangers unexpectedly jumped into contention last season (okay, we expected them to make the playoffs but not make the Eastern Conference finals). As one of the NHL’s most popular teams, you know their name will always be in the mix when a star player could potentially be on the move. That player might be Chicago Blackhawks superstar Patrick Kane. Kane hasn’t requested a trade, but Chicago is in beyond fire sale mode to the point most fans feel Kane’s departure is inevitable.
What makes this trade seem as if it would work is where Kane could slot in the lineup. Kane is a top pairing right wing, and the right side of New York’s lineup is crowded with youngsters Alexis Lafreniere, Kaapo Kakko, and Vitali Kravtsov. In his latest NHL mailbag, Dan Rosen said he can’t see the organization moving any of those youngsters.
That is, unless a player of Kane’s caliber becomes available. Rosen mentions that Lafreniere, who is currently projected to be New York’s top line right winger, is “untouchable”. Offering Kratsov and Kakko to Chicago should do more than at least get the conversation started. That would open a spot for Kane and drop Lafreniere to the second line. Of course, that would also all but end New York Rangers fans’ dream of a Pierre Luc-Dubois trade.
The New York Rangers and their fans would love to get Patrick Kane. Unlike other trade contenders, he’s fit right in that lineup after some sure-to-be subtractions.
The Rangers front office, and their fans, have long had a “go big or go home” mentality. Some of those moves worked out, like the signing of perennial superstar Artemi Panarin. Others did not, such as acquiring Philadelphia Flyers’ great Eric Lindros.
Age would say any potential trade for Kane would be more comparable to the Lindros acquisition, Lindros was 28 at the time, but Kane also lacks the injury concerns Lindros came to the Big Apple with. Lindros also came to New York in 2001 in the middle of their seven-year playoff drought after most of the cup-contending 1990s team had gone away. Kane would be joining a Rangers team that has yet to reach its ceiling.
Another New York team is also considered a favorite for Kane’s services with the Buffalo Sabres. Our heart goes out to the long-suffering hockey fans in Western New York. Judging by last year’s attendance numbers, most of them have decided to start watching from home.
Kane is from Buffalo, but Buffalo might not be the best place for his services. The aging winger would provide an immediate boost to a contending team, and the Sabres are far from contending.
Still, maybe that’s where Kane’s heart lies and would push for a trade to his hometown team. Maybe Kane could provide enough to end Buffalo’s longest in the NHL playoff drought, even if they aren’t cup contenders. If all else fails, at least he’ll give Buffalo fans a reason to buy tickets.
Kane has said he wants to remain in Chicago. Of course, what did you expect him to say? If he leaves the only franchise he’s ever known and had great success with, there has got to be something big in it for him. Playing for his hometown team in Buffalo might be exciting, but if he leads the Rangers to only their second cup in 82 years he will forever be a legend in the city that never sleeps.