The New York Rangers acquired star winger Patrick Kane from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a conditional 2023 second-round pick and a 2023 fourth-round pick on Tuesday. according to numerous reports. Importantly, if the Rangers win two rounds of the playoffs this year, the conditional second-round pick will become a first-round pick in either 2024 or 2025.
The Arizona Coyotes are also in the deal and will withhold a portion of Kane’s $10.5 million salary to help the Rangers fit him under the cap. according to ESPN. What Arizona will get in return is still unknown.
Kane, 34, is a three-time Stanley Cup winner with a penchant for offense. Even in this unfortunate year, he managed 16 goals and 29 assists in 54 games played. In his 16 years with the Blackhawks, Kane has established himself as one of the greatest Americans to play in the NHL. Among his countrymen, Kane is seventh in goals (446), fourth in assists (779) and fourth in points (1,225).
Before the deal, which was rumored for several daysreportedly were concerns about Kane’s health with a hip injury limiting his part in the 2022-23 season, but they all but disappeared after his recent hitting streak. In his last four games, Kane has scored seven goals and 10 points.
In New York, Kane will reunite with former Blackhawks teammate Artemi Panarin. From 2015 to 2017, Kane and Panarin created one of the deadliest offensive duos in the NHL. With Panarin on the opposite side in 2015/16, Kane scored 46 goals and 60 assists en route to winning the Hart Trophy as the league’s most valuable player.
The Rangers now have one of the most impressive rosters in the Eastern Conference, full of Stanley Cup contenders. Just earlier this month, the Rangers acquired Vladimir Tarasenko from the St. Louis Blues. Adding Kane to the game makes the top 6 even more intimidating.
Source: www.cbssports.com
