Rangers acquire Kane from Blackhawks
It's Showtime in the Big Apple.
The New York Rangers acquired star forward Patrick Kane from the Chicago Blackhawks in a three-team deal with the Arizona Coyotes, the teams announced Tuesday.
The Blackhawks are getting a 2023 conditional second-round pick, a 2025 fourth-round pick, defenseman Andy Welinski from the Rangers, and blue-liner Vili Saarijarvi from the Coyotes. If the Rangers make the conference finals, the second-round pick becomes a first-round selection in either 2024 or 2025, sources told ESPN's Emily Kaplan.
In addition to Kane, the Rangers also receive minor-league defenseman Cooper Zech.
The Coyotes collect a 2025 third-round pick from the Rangers as part of the deal.
The Blackhawks will retain 50% of Kane's $10.5-million cap hit, while Arizona will take on 25% of his salary. He's a pending unrestricted free agent.
A three-time Stanley Cup champion, Kane has 16 goals and 45 points in 54 games this season. A lingering hip injury reportedly made teams concerned about his status.
Kane has 52 goals and 132 points in 136 career postseason games. He captured the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2013.
He released a heartfelt message after the deal became official.
From Kaner ❤️: pic.twitter.com/0yQQswMWAd
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 1, 2023
Kane will make his Rangers debut Thursday at home against the Ottawa Senators, per USA TODAY's Vince Mercogliano. The Buffalo native had been vocal about his interest in New York as a potential destination if he chose to waive his no-trade clause.
The 34-year-old will get a chance to reunite with former Blackhawks linemate Artemi Panarin in New York. Panarin was partially responsible for the most productive two-year stint of Kane's career when the two played together from 2015-17. Kane recorded 195 points in 164 games during those two seasons and won the Hart and Art Ross Trophies in 2016.
Rangers general manager Chris Drury spoke about the fit for both sides.
"I think Patrick recognized it was a good fit for him, and it's a good fit for us," he said. "We're certainly excited that he wanted to be traded and that it was to the New York Rangers."
It's been a busy deadline for Durry, who already added Vladimir Tarasenko, Niko Mikkola, and Tyler Motte earlier in February.