New York Rangers putting finishing touches on Patrick Kane trade

Patrick Kane Rangers
Feb 19, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane (88) skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Rangers are reportedly putting the finishing touches on a trade for Patrick Kane that would send shudders through the NHL.

“On Kane/NYR: last 24 hours or so has been about lining up everything from cap situation to third-party trade partners to roster machinations to Kane’s approval,” Friedman tweeted. “Making sure everything in place; no detail is missed. We’re grinding towards a conclusion, no one wants a misstep.”

According to David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period, the Rangers are still working on a third party to take on more of Kane’s cap hit. He also notes that the Vancouver Canucks may have been a team they spoke with about a trade to send Vitali Kravtsov the other way.

“Until everything is finalized, Kane does not have to sign any [document] waiving his NMC,” Pagnotta added. “At that point, a “decision” will be formal. I was told Dallas was considered, at one point. Edmonton and Vegas aren’t, despite their noted interest. The finish line is in sight.”

New York Rangers working on Patrick Kane trade

Patrick Kane New York Rangers
Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

The Rangers will be taking on the Capitals in Washington today at 1 PM ET, with the expected lineup to be 11 forwards and 7 defenseman again. That’s because they’re holding out Vitali Kravtsov and Jake Leschyshyn for “roster management” purposes.

Waivers will be announced today at 2 PM ET, so it will be interesting to see if one or both of them will be on the list.

When rumors started spreading like wild fire on Wednesday, the smoke we’ve been talking about since mid-February became just that.

Then those flames were fanned with the Rangers making both Kravtsov and Leschyshyn unavailable for the game against Detroit on Thursday.

The fire only got hotter with the Chicago Blackhawks giving Patrick Kane a “maintenance day” due to “soreness” on Friday. They play the San Jose Sharks later today and it’s possible he will be held out of the lineup.

Kane, 34, has scored 45 points in 54 games this season and would make the New York Rangers an absolute offensive juggernaut come playoff time.

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Anthony Scultore is the founder of Forever Blueshirts and has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL... More about Anthony Scultore

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