Though it has been evident for a while that Chicago Blackhawks legend Patrick Kane would be joining the New York Rangers, what wasn’t so clear is the price they would be forced to pay for him. That price is now known as the trade has been finalized with Kane and defenseman Cooper Zech heading to the Rangers as part of a three-team trade that also involves Arizona. Chicago receives a 2023 conditional second-round pick and a fourth-round pick along with defenseman Andy Welinski from New York along with the rights to blueliner Vili Saarijarvi from Arizona while the Coyotes receive a 2025 third-round pick from the Rangers for brokering the deal by retaining 25% of Kane’s contract after Chicago held back the maximum 50% of his $10.5MM AAV.
The 2023 second-rounder can become a first-round selection if the Rangers make it to the Conference Finals. It would then be conveyed in either 2024 (top-10 protected) or 2025. The third-rounder going to Arizona will either be the Rangers’ own pick or the better of theirs and Dallas’ if defenseman Nils Lundkvist has 55 points combined this season and next which would transfer the Stars’ 2025 selection to New York.
Just as it played out with Claude Giroux last season, a franchise icon with full no-movement protection essentially dictated his destination, resulting in an underwhelming return. The Blackhawks were not able to land a guaranteed first-round pick in the deal, but will send Kane to his preferred team and still recoup some value.
When it became clear that the Blackhawks were tearing it down to rebuild through the draft, it made little sense for them to re-sign Kane in the offseason. If he was going to leave anyway, getting a second (or first) before he walked out the door only helps the efforts of general manager Kyle Davidson. Kane wasn’t forced out the door, but will now get another chance at the Stanley Cup this season with a loaded Rangers club.
After New York acquired Vladimir Tarasenko earlier this month, it appeared they were out of the running for Kane. They had a tight cap situation and had made their significant acquisition. Even Kane seemed to know he wouldn’t be headed to New York, telling reporters that it seemed like they had “filled their void” with the deal.
But now, with the help of some creative cap gymnastics, the Rangers have made enough room to land both star wingers, giving them a forward group that looks like an All-Star roster.
He also leaves Chicago with a legacy that will be hard to beat. While Kane sits second on the all-time Blackhawks scoring list, many will remember him as the most talented player in franchise history. His 1,225 regular season points came in just 1,161 games, numbers that will have him in the Hall of Fame one day.
Now 34, Kane will be an unrestricted free agent this summer unless he signs an extension with the Rangers. That certainly seems possible, though it will be difficult for New York to fit everyone in, giving some raises they own to some other players. For now, the focus will be on winning the Stanley Cup after loading up as much as they can.
Should they reach the third round, and fork over a first-rounder to Chicago, the Blackhawks would then own seven first-round selections over the next three years. After picking three players at the top of the 2022 draft, their system will quickly be loaded with talent that can mature together. Perhaps they’ll find the next star in that bunch, but simple probability suggests they won’t find another Kane.
Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli was the first to report the draft picks while ESPN’s Emily Kaplan was the first to report the conditional element on the second-rounder. PHNX Sports’ Craig Morgan was the first with the return for Arizona’s involvement.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
That’s it?
CHI had no leg to stand on. Kane a full NTC. Rangers didn’t need to make this move. Kane said NYR or nothing. CHI took what they could get. It’s actually a good trade by CHI when St Louis got less for Tarasenko
Should have just kept him.
st. louis got less?
Kscheer, Lol why?
I actually think that’s a decent return given the complete lack of leverage
@ kscheer: … to what end? Kane’s contract’s expiring. Chicago isn’t going anywhere. They need to get WORSE if they want to get Bedard. What could keeping him possibly gain the Hawks?
It hurts I admit. It was Kane choice and his choice only It’s a reward for many years of service. ( sorry not sorry.. hope the rangers lose )
Jawman, I literally was saying “that’s it?” as I was scrolling down and came to your comment!!!
well if they go to the Conference Finals they get a 1st in 2024 or 2025, plus we’ll get the privilege to see Kaner’s and Breadman’s chemistry and magic once again, Im rooting for them all the way
That’s a meager return. Even if the Blackhawks were boned because the whole world know Kane would only accept a trade to the Rangers. – Devils fan
And it’s gunna be a 2nd cause either us or CAR are bouncing them in the 1st round ;-)
well we had no leverage, we either kept Kane and had no chance of getting Bedard without trading Kane, and Patick made his request well known. At least we possibly get a 1st rounder and get to see Kane finally get back to the playoffs.
I gotta agree with you, Devilshark. I’ve been thinking NYR is overrated, because, well, it’s New York. Listen to Messier on TV broadcasts, and you’d think the Cup was won already, and all that’s left is to plan the parade route
How was keeping Kane going to impact the chances of getting bedard?
KRB – Honestly, I’m just being cheeky. NYR are stacked. They are a monster team. Since I started watching in the mid 90s I don’t remember a NYR team this stacked – they might have had others about this good but right now they are massive.
Only trouble for NYR is that literally every team they have to play is also stacked. The East is absolutely mental. Whoever comes out of the Metro will still have to contend with the likes of BOS, TOR or TBL – whoever wins out over there.
I was thinking you hit the nail on the head, DevilShark. Shesterkin isn’t what he was last year. And ESPN isn’t known as Every Second Praise New York for nothing. NYR is vulnerable.
it doesn’t but the hawks will now forsure sink to last with Seth Jones being their only Star in the lineup
I’m not a Ranger fan , but I don’t see how you’d call them overrated.
@KRB – it’s not entirely Igor, the team has had lapses defensively and I think it’s because they feel over confident on offense.
It’s called market value. Simple economics.
honestly their defense may be concerning but they now may just have the best offense in the league, Kane and Panarin had some of the best chemistry we’ve ever seen in Chicago and one of the best duos in the NHL
*salutes*
the return is still sad, no Brenden Othmann
CHI had no leg to stand on. Kane has a full NTC
Rangers wouldn’t move the kid for Kane even if Chicago had any leverage. The kid will be with the team next year.
In what world is Kane worth less of a return than Tanner Jeannot? Why, in the Wild, Wacky World of Bettman Salary Cap NHL!
Control and salary pretty much
@jdgoat Yeah, that’s what I was saying, but my way is more colorful
Thoughts and prayers going out to Coyotes fans. Can you imagine trading the best player in your franchise’s history and only getting a 4th back?!
Hawerchuk is the GOAT of the Coyotes franchise.
I know it is not the return that was expected, but Davidson waited too long.When the Rangers got Tarasenko, the Rangers had the upper hand because they were now not the desperate team. And when Kane narrowed his only choice to the Rangers, Davidson became the desperate one because his other option was to let Kane walk at the end of the year and get nothing in return. He did get more than i expected.
Who would ever thought at the beginning of tge season that McCabe and Lafferty would get a better haul of draft picks than Kane?
I love how our team is always the preferred destination of elite players. In what other world could we add a player of Kane’s caliber. We will easily sail through the Devils in 5. Canes in 6.
Don’t be too cocky just yet. This all looks great on paper, but the games do still have to be played
Is that you, Mark Messier?
You may have beaten the Canes twice this year but you lot lost to the Devils if I remember correctly. Sure, you guys levelled up since then but so did the Devils. Reckon there will be 7 games all over the place in the first 2 rounds of playoffs this year.
NYC is a floating dumpster
Absolutely awful return. I am starting to be convinced that Brandon Davidson doesn’t have a clue what the f*** he is doing.
Brandon Davidson? isn’t he now an AHL defenseman
What did you expect them to get? 5 first-rounders , when they had no other options.?
Kyle. Rage typing made me the dumb for a minute.
No. But it absolutely benefited the Rangers that it was the only team Kane wanted to go to. I still can’t understand how Davidson didn’t strike deals earlier than this. He had to know other teams would be grabbing at the same piece of the pie.
Dude you said the Rangers will need to give up 2 top 6 with Kakko being one of them and a 2nd for a rental with a full no trade clause. Blackhawks have less than no leverage and should be happy with with they got.
That’s all? Even with all the retention required to make this happen? Seems like not enough for return for Chicago, let alone Arizona taking on a bunch of salary
Awesome news, now hopefully they land the 2nd pick
In a game of chicken, with only one dance partner, I would have let this run to the n’th hour to see how badly the rangers wanted Kane
and then if the Rangers decide they can get another 2 players instead and walk away the Blackhawks get nothing and Kane walks in the off season. That sure sounds like a smart gamble, like at a blackjack table hitting with pocket kings.
On top of pissing off your franchise legend who wants to go win another cup.
It was hard to see him go, I was at the Ducks vs Hawks game last night and bummed he didn’t suit up one last time. Thanks for bringing 3 Stanley cups to Chicago
I feel like crying. Him and Toews are the last connection to the great Hawks teams of 2010-2015. You expected them to win every game and most of the time they did. For those six seasons, Chicago had a dynasty. That rarely happens in Chicago. Thanks for what you gave to Blackhawks fans. I hope you win another ring even if it is in NY.
He would have looked good in Toronto beside Mathews and Nylander.
Imagine a top 6 of
Kane Matthews Nylander
O’Reilly Tavares Marner
2 legit top lines
What could have been
Kane is on the RW. Doubt he’s be able to (or want) to skate on the left considering he’s done it his entire career. It’s what he’s used too from his shot angle.
Sure, why keep a still productive franchise icon who helped deliver 3 Cups for you and your fans and who wants to stay with the team and the city when you can get a 58th overall pick, right?
… you mean keep a guy whose production is actually COUNTER-productive for you right now, on an expiring contract? If Chicago needs to keep franchise icons onboard no matter what, just because, they might as well sign Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita and Tony Esposito to contracts, right? (Oh, wait. They’re all deceased.)
Even so, those guys might still be able to make this roster.
“Most talented player in franchise history?” Huh. And Hull, Mikita, Hall and Pilote all chorus, “Hold my beer.” Kane’s a remarkable player, no error, but the history of the Blackhawks didn’t start in 2000.
Had he stayed (or he comes back) he could legitimately hold the franchise record in Goals, Assists, Points, Games Played, etc. with 3 cups to boot. Hard to argue he wouldn’t be the greatest Hawk ever. Most talented player in franchise history is subjective to what you look for in a player. Ask ten Hawks fans and I’m sure you’ll get a mix between Hull, Mikita, Savard, Kane, etc.
Anyone mad about the return doesn’t understand the circumstances of why this trade happened in the first place. This was about what Kane wanted plain and simple.
Yeah, well, had HULL stayed, he’d have all those records and then some; we can play “what ifs?” until the cows come home.
you’re also talking about a time where the NHL had less skill and talent than it does today, Kane is definitely the best player in Blackhawks history without a doubt, no disrespect but the league is way more skilled now than it was then
Nah. Kane’s better than em all.
While I’ll admit Kane will add to the Rangers score totals they sorely needed to make a trade for Jeannot. They have no real protection since Reaves was let go….
If they wanted “protection” — in a league, mind, where fighting’s on its last gasp — they could strap a pair of skates onto Roman Reigns and let him have a go; the initials match up anyway. It’s been a couple years now since Ryan Reaves was a NHL-caliber player.
Kaner to the Rangers for a couple of months. Then they resign him and he finishes out in Chicago. He doesn’t even have to sell his house. Gets another chance to see his name on the Cup. I still don’t get why everybody is making a big deal about the Hawks getting Bedard. He’s good but he’s far from the ONLY guy in this draft which is supposed to be one of the deepest in recent history. If the Hawks get Carlsson or Fantilli is it supposed to be a complete loss? The Hawks have like 13 picks in the first 3 rounds of the next 3 drafts. I think they’ll be able to do some trading to get whatever they want. Everybody is making way to much about Bedard. I’d be happy with Carlsson to replace Toews, Sign Commesso and Basse and all the other guys they haven’t signed yet. Would make me happy. Bedard just icing.
This is why I have been frustrated. You clearly told your fans you are in complete tear down mode. You trade away DeBrincat for basically nothing, trade away 21 yo Dach, sign two guys trade deasline mo ers to single year, affordable, “prove it” deals, and get Petr Mrazek, who the only time doesnt give up goals in exponential numbers is when is hurt, and im not sure what happens more often. Now the hemming and hawing on Toews and Kane, the refusal to play Reichel, who has already started his clock, and getting beaten to the punch by teams in the division to trade away their players. It’s just been continuing mixed messages from the this FO, and I honestly don’t trust Davidson to rebuild this into anything resembling a competitive team.
Hope I am wrong
Korchinski alone would be a great return for Debrincat. Ludwinski and another pick yet to come is good value. Cat was due a 9 million dollar QO which was why he was traded in the first place. There was no way they could of fit Seth Jones, Kane, Toews and Cat all at around 10 million apiece. It was just never gonna happen. With only 1 year left it was an impressive return. The better deal was getting 2 1st round picks and 2 players for Brandon Hagel Now I liked Hagel too but that was a no brainer that had to be made. I think Davidson is doing just fine. I’ve seen some of his picks play in College, Juniors and the tournaments and they look pretty good and they haven’t even signed hardly any of them yet.
For that price ARI themselves might as well have just dealt for him for the merchandising.
Not sure how I feel about this.
Rangers are my 2nd team behind the wild and the team that got me into hockey when they won the cup in 94,also the team my kid is named after but I really really hate cry baby Kane from his time with the hawks.
How should you feel? Um let bygones be bygones , and feel that you have a better chance at a Stanley Cup.
Kane’s character > Deangelos? Lol
Guess I’m a temporary Rangers’ fan for the duration of the SCP.
Funny, in a different Kane thread @CluHaywood said the Rangers will need to give up a top 6 player like Kakko, possibly even 2 top 6 players and a 2nd round pick to get Kane.
When you have a full no trade and can pick one team, that one team has no leverage at all.