Are the Rangers inching closer to making another big trade splash?
Based on their recent roster moves, they just might be positioning themselves to make a move for Patrick Kane.
The Blueshirts announced that Vitali Kravtsov and Jake Leschyshyn were both unavailable for Thursday night’s game against the Red Wings due to “roster management reasons,” which raised eyebrows given Kravtsov’s trade request, and New York could be preserving the health of both players should they be used in a trade package to acquire Kane.
Amid reports that the Rangers are still gunning for Kane, even after acquiring another veteran winger in Vladimir Tarasenko, the Blueshirts appear to be maneuvering themselves to make another move, one that would require Kane’s Blackhawks to retain some of his salary, and likely a third team to be involved in the trade to make the money work for the Rangers.
Kane, 34, has been on fire of late, logging 10 points in his last four games. He was clearly disappointed when the Rangers traded for Tarasenko, and made it clear that he would seriously consider waiving his no-trade clause for a deal to New York. Given his standing with Chicago after winning three Stanley Cups with the franchise, the Blackhawks would likely make an effort to satisfy Kane’s desire in terms of where he wants to wind up.
That could be New York, and the Rangers just might be preparing for that possibility.
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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