Chicago Blackhawks Rumors: Kane to the Rangers

According to reports, Patrick Kane is heading to the New York Rangers today after 5 p.m. EST.

Good morning: if NYR wants to acquire Patrick Kane and have him count against their cap on Wednesday (not today), they can acquire him after 5 pm (ET). Things continue to be put in motion behind the scenes (approval, equipment, logistics). We'll see when it happens.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 28, 2023

The Rangers made a few roster moves in the last number of days to make this possible. Braden Schneider was assigned to the Hartford Wolfpack of the AHL, which gave them enough cap room to acquire Kane at 75% retained. Some thought that Vitali Kravstov would be part of this deal, but the Rangers' traded him to the Vancouver Canucks, which also cleared cap space.

To get him at 75% retained, the Blackhawks would need to eat 50% and a third-party team would need to take on the other 25% at a cost of a draft pick. The Blackhawks are in a full-on rebuild, so, the trade package would most likely consist of draft picks, as well as a roster player, potentially a Kaapo Kakko or a Filip Chytil. Lastly, prospects, such as forward Will Cuylle, defensemen Zac Jones, or goaltender Dylan Garand. If Chicago is going to trade one of the greatest Blackhawks ever, who can still play at a high level, they need to maximize their return.

So, keep your eyes peeled for a Kane to the Rangers trade today after 5 p.m. EST.