Could the New York Rangers Have an Interest in Patrick Kane?

It’s no secret, that should J.T. Miller be traded away by the Vancouver Canucks, one of the more popular rumored landing spots would be the New York Rangers. Potentially losing a few key names in free agency, (Ryan Strome, Andrew Copp, Frank Vatrano), the Rangers may need to find a replacement, and who better than Miller who scored 99 points and could be a fit long-term on the Rangers’ top line?

But, there’s talk that with all the changes in Chicago, another name is on the Rangers’ radar. That being Patrick Kane, even if there’s no official indication that Kane is being moved by the Blackhawks organization.

Related: Blackhawks Draft Deals Feel Like an Attempt To Kick Kane Out the Door

The Blackhawks are tearing it down as fast as they humanly can in Chicago. With the trades of Alex DeBrincat and Kirby Dach, many are wondering if GM Kyle Davidson made it a mission to send a message to Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews that they should be motivated to ask for a trade. There are no reports that either has yet done so, but Pierre LeBrun of TSN reports, “Asked agent Pat Brisson about his client Patrick Kane and his NHL future in lieu of today’s trades by the rebuilding Blackhawks. Brisson said they’re not “going to make any decisions or comments at this point.”

If things get so bad in Chicago that Kane feels he has no choice but to ask out, Larry Brooks of the New York Post writes that the New York Rangers might be waiting and ready to make an offer. He wonders if the team should consider pivoting away from Miller and towards Kane. He wonders if the Rangers are as good a team as they appeared to be last season and if they don’t want to take a step back should they lose their pending UFAs, Kane could be the piece that moves them into immediate contender conversation.

Brooks asks, ” First question: Are the Rangers close enough to rent a blue-chip property? And the second: If so, shouldn’t Patrick Kane be Target 1?” It’s fair to argue there’s no better option. Not only does Kane have a history with Artemi Panarin, but he’s got one year remaining on his current deal at $10.5 million. The Blackhawks would likely be willing to retain some money on the deal and the Rangers could then negotiate a reasonable extension — likely far less than what Miller will ask for on his next deal — to close out his career in New York.

Brooks explains:

Kane, who will turn 34 in November, has a full no-move clause on a contract that has one year to go while carrying a $10.5 million cap hit. Kane thus has control over his next destination. He could steer himself to Broadway. If the Blackhawks would absorb 50 percent of the contract, Kane would carry the same $5.25 million cap hit as Miller, who also has one year to go on his deal. 

The question becomes what it costs the Rangers to acquire Kane in a trade. If the Rangers want Kane at 50%, they’ll have to give to get. Taking on his full salary wouldn’t likely cost them one of their better prospects, but if Chicago is going to retain salary, it could cost the Rangers at least Kaapo Kakko, a first round pick, and more. At that price, the Rangers should work in the rights to talk to Kane about an extension first.

Next: Maple Leafs and Senators Trade Talks Heat Up Over Matt Murray