Martin Brodeur in a Blues jersey, Mike Modano in a Red Wings jersey, Ilya Kovalchuk in a Canadiens jersey. There are hockey players that we won’t see anywhere but on the team they’ve spent most of their careers on. Patrick Kane could fit well on this list.
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Acquired from the Rangers after nearly 16 full seasons in Chicago, the prime prospect himself pointed out that not having the Blackhawks logo on the chest was odd.
“The first time I felt like I was coming to a different competition or league. I had the same feeling as when I played in Switzerland during the lockout or when I represented the United States in international tournaments,” said the 34-year-old forward a few hours before the game against the Canadian.
But the very first pick of the 2007 auction will surely succeed in adopting his new uniform. First, because nothing has gone well in Chicago for “five or six seasons” and he could have an opportunity with Rangers to win the Stanley Cup for the third time in his career.
“Even when we met the bottom of the table in Chicago, I always showed my full potential. It won’t change. But this time there will be a bet on the other side in every match,” he argued.
He also handcuffed Kyle Davidson, his former general manager, by publicly assuring that he would agree to join the Blueshirts and no other team.
What was so attractive about New York? The team, its legendary home, the city?
“A little bit of everything,” he replied. Rangers have built a team over the past few years that wants to strive for great honors. Playing with talented players is something very exciting.
“Back on the East Coast, being close to my family, being in New York, playing Madison Square Garden with its crowd and all the euphoria that you can feel in the city listed the athlete from Buffalo. It’s an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”
The results are slow
Kane isn’t the only player with great skills that the Rangers have picked up as the trade deadline nears. On February 9, Chris Drury acquired Vladmir Tarasenko, another child prodigy and former Stanley Cup champion.
That being said, we can’t yet say that the addition of these two players, talented as they are, is bringing the desired results.
Since the Russian’s arrival, Rangers are 6-5-1. Before the game against the Canadiens, Kane, for whom it was his third game in the other famous blue, white and red jersey, was still waiting to savor his first win with his new team.
“People think that if you bring in talented players, the transition will be even smoother, but it takes a bit of time,” Kane said.
“What I like about this team is that the guys are calm and confident. Everyone was involved in finding a solution, he said. And the coach is intense. That’s good for a team like this because it keeps everyone on their toes.”
Stay true to your identity
In that regard, the two-star Rangers sailed somewhat against the grain.
Typically, teams use the last few days of the market to add depth and get their hands on fiery and fighting players, the kind of players that are in high demand and effective in the playoffs. Especially when the team is already full of players who can net the puck.
However, Gerard Gallant chose instead to disagree with this theory.
“We are a talented team. We’re not the type to go out on the ice and try to pick everyone up. We’re more the type of guy who makes the opponent pay when they get penalties,” said the Rangers head coach.
“We can play aggressively. We’re a fast team that can use our forecheck to get the opposition out of the way, he continued. Yes we have stars but we have to make sure we work hard. And we will do that.”
In short, the most important thing is to stay true to your identity.