Patrick Kane leaves Blackhawks as Rangers trade framework is built
Patrick Kane will likely be traded by the Blackhawks in the coming week.
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SAN JOSE, Calif. — Patrick Kane has left the Blackhawks’ West Coast road trip as the team continues finalizing the framework for a probable trade to the Rangers.
After being held out of practice Friday but remaining overnight in San Jose, Kane flew back to Chicago on Saturday to wait “until the situation rectifies itself either way,” coach Luke Richardson said. He was obviously scratched for the Hawks’ game against the Sharks.
There are still hurdles to cross. Kane still has not officially waived his no-trade clause, for one thing, despite evidently indicating the Rangers are his top choice if he does. Kane’s agent, Pat Brisson, described this as a “period of reflection” for Kane in a statement to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun.
The trade framework is not fully complete, either, due to the complexity of the Rangers’ salary-cap situation. It’s so complex that the Vladimir Tarasenko trade earlier this month initially convinced the league — including Kane himself — that they were out of the running for the Hawks star.
The Rangers nonetheless began the process of clearing more space Saturday, placing Jake Leschyshyn on waivers and trading Vitali Kravtsov. Both players had been held out of the last two games. Kravtsov, the 2018 ninth overall pick now trending toward bust territory, was originally presumed part of the Kane trade framework but instead headed to the Canucks in exchange for an AHL forward and seventh-round pick.
The Rangers will still have to get the Hawks to retain 50% of Kane’s cap hit, use a third-party team to retain another 25%, potentially include an additional contract in the trade and also potentially wait closer to the Friday trade deadline to make all the numbers work, though.
An injury to defenseman Ryan Lindgren in the Rangers’ loss Saturday against the Capitals could make the equation easier if it proves severe enough to warrant a long-term injured reserve placement. Rangers reporters saw Lindgren in a sling postgame.
When all is said and done, though, it appears Kane will likely land in New York.
The nation’s biggest city has been his preferred trade destination all along thanks to its proximity to his family in Buffalo, his friendship with star Rangers winger Artemi Panarin and the resources, prestige and existing talent of the Rangers franchise.
On the other hand, the Hawks’ return may be underwhelming. General manager Kyle Davidson has been forced to operate with very little leverage in these negotiations, given the lack of alternatives. It doesn’t seem like either top Rangers prospect Brennan Othmann or the Rangers’ remaining first-round pick — the other one they originally owned having been traded for Tarasenko — will be included.
Zac Jones, an offensive defenseman in the Rangers’ second tier of prospects, may be part of the deal. Jones, 22, is undersized at 5-10, 178 pounds but has been very productive in the AHL while appearing in a handful of NHL games over the past three seasons.
The Hawks and Rangers will also need to sort out paying the third-party team that retains 25% of Kane’s cap hit. The Wild provided a similar service to the Maple Leafs and Blues in the Ryan O’Reilly trade earlier this month and received a fourth-round pick for doing so.
No matter what the exact details turn out to be, however, this is a blockbuster that will shake the NHL, elevate the loaded-up Rangers to major Stanley Cup contender status and mark the end of an era of hockey in Chicago. Kane ranks second in Hawks franchise history with 1,225 career points and third with 1,161 career games played.
Kane’s epic performance Wednesday against the Stars, scoring twice to lead the Hawks’ comeback, was probably his final showing with the team — although anything is possible this summer, as he does remain a pending unrestricted free agent.