New York Rangers forward Patrick Kane is gradually adjusting to his new colleagues and finds a familiar face in Artemi Panarin, whom he has come to appreciate for a number of years.
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Hours before his debut in the Blueshirts uniform at Madison Square Garden, the former Chicago Blackhawks hit the media Thursday. The three-time Stanley Cup winner is delighted to be joining a formation striving for great honor and will play on the right wing of a trio led by Vincent Trochek and completed on the left by Panarin. He faced the star player during his first two seasons in the National League from 2015-2017. The Russian seized the opportunity to hit the 30-goal plateau each time before joining the Columbus Blue Jackets.
“Today [jeudi], it was the first time I’ve seen him in a long time. He’s a funny guy and it’s nice to see him here. I’ve really missed him over the past five-plus years, no matter how many,” Kane said in the pre-game briefing against the Ottawa Senators.
This time around, the duo is likely to make life difficult for Eastern Conference teams, and if the chemistry is right, Rangers opponents will need to be on their guard.
“Maybe things aren’t going as smoothly as people think. I’m sure there will be obstacles on our way, but hopefully we’ll overcome them at some point,” said the veteran with 45 points this season, 23 fewer than his mate.
Young people
Kane’s enthusiasm for his presence in the Big Apple is palpable. After watching the New York team beat the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 in overtime on Wednesday, he’s also looking forward to skating with other players, especially youngsters like Quebec’s Alexis Lafrenière.
“You look at a guy like that [Filip] Chytil: He really took off this year. He’s having a great season. And I honestly respect the way Lafrenière and [Kaapo] Kakko,” he said of the members of that scrimmage.
Then the American candidly returned to his sentiments about the February 9 transaction that sent St. Louis Blues to New York.
“I was very upset about this situation when they took over Tarasenko. I thought a deal sending me here was no longer planned, he admitted. But of course I’m very happy that they closed the transaction. I’m looking forward to developing with Vladimir because he’s an exciting player. It’s good to be in the same clan as him.”
Luckily for everyone at Rangers, the players involved are in excellent shape, especially the number 88.
“It’s one of the original six teams, an organization with a lot of history playing in a great building in front of incredible fans,” he said. Right now the energy in this city and within the organization is very high.”