New York Rangers Going All in, Trade for Patrick Kane
The New York Rangers completed yet another blockbuster trade ahead of the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline to acquire superstar forward, Patrick Kane.
The arms race in the Eastern Conference continues to intensify as the New York Rangers have made yet another splash ahead of the March 3 NHL Trade Deadline as they poached right winger Patrick Kane from the Chicago Blackhawks.
Prior to this move, the Rangers traded for Vladimir Taresenko from the St. Louis Blues. The playoff push in the Metropolitan Division has only grown more competitive as the Carolina Hurricanes, and the New Jersey Devils are battling with New York for the division title.
In order to get over the hump, NYR has been on the prowl in the trade market to add some more firepower to their top-heavy offense. As shown through last year’s Eastern Conference Championship appearance, the Rangers are grossly reliant upon the production of their first-line forwards Mika Zibenajad, Artemi Panarin, and Chris Kreider.
By trading for the 34-year-old sniper, the Broadway Blueshirts have built an insanely talented second line with Kane and Taresenko. However, given their chemistry from their days playing for the Chicago Blackhawks together, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the coaching staff puts Kane back with Artemi Panarin once again.
In exchange for the Buffalo, NY, native, the Rangers are said, by beat reporter Frank Seravalli, to have traded a conditional 2nd (can become a 1st) and a 4th Round draft pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. In addition to these draft picks, there is said to be a third team involved in the trade, likely to eat some of the $10.5 million salary cap that Patrick Kane comes with.
What this (second) blockbuster trade shows us is that the New York Rangers are breaking the bank and going all-in for the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. After almost three decades without hoisting the greatest trophy in sports, the original six franchise feels that this is the year to win it all.
Despite some hip problems that he’s been battling all season, Kane has still put together a respectable season. In 54 games played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Patrick Kane has notched 16 goals and 45 total points on a team that has been absolutely horrific in the 2022-23 NHL season. Given his extensive playoff experience, just having a player like this in the locker room is enough to give a team the edge in the postseason. Having arguably the greatest American-born player ever on your team? Seems pretty good for morale.
A chance to not only play with Artemi Panarin again, but a chance to win a fourth Stanley Cup is all of the motivation Kane needs to help the New York Rangers in their postseason run come this spring. Whether he returns to his former self by exploding offensively surrounded by studs or not, is up to him. However, there can simply be no excuses for this Rangers team. Anything short of winning the Stanley Cup in 2023 is a colossal failure.