On Thursday, the Rangers made a big move three weeks ahead of the trade deadline, acquiring forward Vladimir Tarasenko and defenseman Niko Mikkola from the Blues. Tarasenko, a six-time 30-goal scorer, fills a need as a scoring right wing for New York.
The move most likely takes the Rangers out of the running for a few big name forwards. Among them is Patrick Kane, the veteran Blackhawks winger who is set to hit free agency at the end of the year.
It is no secret that Kane, who has a no movement clause, could be available as Chicago is one of the worst teams in the league. It appears that Kane was eyeing the Rangers as a destination, as he expressed disappointment over the Tarasenko deal.
“It’s not like the happiest I've been to hear about a trade,” Kane said on Friday. “I think the Rangers are a team that you definitely pay attention to and definitely are intrigued by, for obvious reasons.”
New York is currently in third place in the Metropolitan division with 66 points. They made the Eastern Conference Finals last year and are primed to make another deep playoff run in 2023.
According to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan, one of the reasons the Rangers chose Tarasenko over Kane was concern over a hip injury that Kane has been battling. However, Kane believes his hip isn’t a huge issue.
“I’m not sure what the story is to be honest with you, but I feel better than I did last year,” he said. “It’s just one of those things that maybe the story leaks out and it piles up a little bit.”
Kane said he still hasn’t decided on whether he will waive his no-movement clause, as it would probably take the right team making a deal.
Kane has been with the Blackhawks since 2007, when he won the Calder Trophy as a 19 year-old. Since then, he has won three Stanley Cups while scoring at least 20 goals in all but one full season, which was shortened due to COVID. This year, he has had a down year on a bad team, scoring just nine goals and 35 points in 46 games.
