The trade
Rangers get: Forward Patrick Kane (50 percent of salary stays with Blackhawks, 25 percent with Coyotes), defenseman Cooper Zech
Get Blackhawks: Conditional second-round pick 2023 (becomes first-round pick if Rangers reach Conference Finals), fourth-round pick 2025, defenseman Andy Welinski, defenseman Vili Saarijarvi
Getting Coyotes: 2025 third round pick
Shayna Goldman: It’s the same old story: The Rangers trade for a marquee name that’s past its prime. The main difference here, however, is that they don’t aim to be the game-breaker of their prime like other moves that fit this pattern. This was a secondary trade that came after Vladimir Tarasenko had already been added, and it didn’t cost all that much.
Rangers were busy, but even with Tarasenko, Nikko Mikkola and Tyler Motte, it felt like this team still needed a move to solidify their top 9. Enter Kane – a player who basically started this trade.
There’s definitely some risk involved with this on-ice deal, which is why it helps New York that he’s not the only right winger they added before the deadline. Aside from the off-ice issues surrounding the player, the hip injury is an issue that has wilted his offense, as have his defensive errors. But a change of scenery is the game changer here; Kane’s environment in Chicago was terrible and it’s only gotten more challenging over the last year. Whether it’s Artemi Panarin or Mika Zibanejad, he’ll have elite talent in New York that will help elevate his game closer to the heights everyone expects of him when playoff time arrives. Already in this struggling Blackhawks team he proved in his last game phase that he still has gas in the tank.
The addition of Kane gives Rangers a lot more options in their lineup to mix and match in the top nine. That’s a big difference from last postseason when their versatility was much more limited. Defense may be an issue between the two newly acquired right wingers, but this team has plenty of firepower and strong goalkeepers that should outweigh it.
The return is underwhelming for Chicago, but the options were limited. The player wanted a specific team, and the Blackhawks either had to find a way to make that happen or not trade it at all. It’s quite disappointing for management that their two major trading partners, Kane and Jonathan Toews, didn’t bring back what they had hoped; The Blackhawks only have a conditional second and fourth for the pair. It just underscores why they should have pushed for better returns on other trade pieces over the past year rather than relying too heavily on this duo to bring back the perfect returns that could ease their rebuild.
Ranger: A
Blackhawks: C+
coyotes: B+
Dom Luszczyszyn: Kane got his wish, he’s a New York Ranger. We’ve known it would be him since last week, but now it’s finally official and we can finally talk about what it all means.
You’ll hear a lot about Kane not being the player he used to be. That he is not as valuable as his reputation. That he’s one of the worst defensive players in the league. that he was washed. That his hip injury made him a non-factor. That he does more harm than good to the Rangers.
Some of this is true, but much of it is exaggerated – a disservice to the talent Kane still brings to the ice. Yes, Kane’s numbers this year are weak. His five-for-five point ratio has fallen below two for only the second time in his career. His expected scoring rate has dropped to an ugly 37 percent, and the Blackhawks have just 41 percent of actual goals to their credit. His normally weak defensive numbers have reached new heights: 3.8 goals conceded per 60. That’s half a goal shy of the average Blackhawk.
But given the catastrophe all around him, what did we really expect? Kane helplessly giving his all for a doomed team while knowing his days with the only team he’s ever known are over? Under these circumstances, no one is successful. As questions arose about his inability to present in Toronto last week, Kane performed with seven goals and 10 points in four games. It was a week of proof. To show that he can still do it. A prelude, a foretaste of what he can still be. Showtime on Broadway.
Rangers still get an elite offense whether or not he’s shown much of it this year. On a team with so many weapons, Kane will thrive. The questions about his defense are very real, but on this team – with this supporting cast and this goalkeeper – they are less of an issue. Kane on an elite team is very different from Kane on one of the league’s worst teams. For the first time in a long time he actually gets help.
Kane fits in perfectly here. He knew it and so did the Rangers. So much so that the bottom line for the Blackhawks is starvation: not even a guaranteed first. The Rangers and Kane all had leverage so it’s hard to blame Chicago too much here, but the Blackhawks still let Kane go for an obviously unconvincing package. That affects your grade here.
The return isn’t the story here – although it’s nice for Rangers that they didn’t have to pay big to get their man here. The story is that Kane is where he wants to be and ready to prove to anyone who doubts him. Forget this year’s numbers because they will change drastically. It’s show time.
Ranger: A
Blackhawks: B-
coyotes: A-
(Photo: Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)