(670 The Score) - While it was only a matter of time before it became a reality, one of the most iconic players to ever wear a Chicago Blackhawks jersey is leaving town.
The Blackhawks and Rangers have finalized and announced a trade that has sent Chicago star winger Patrick Kane to New York on Tuesday.
The Rangers will send the Blackhawks a conditional 2023 second-round pick, a 2023 fourth-round pick, and AHLers Vili Saarijarvi and Andy Welinski in the deal. The conditional second-round pick can turn into a first-round pick in either 2024 or 2025 if the Rangers reach the Eastern Conference Final, according to ESPN NHL insider Emily Kaplan.
Also going to the Rangers as part of the trade is AHLer Cooper Zech.
To help the Rangers in the deal, Chicago will be retaining 50% of Kane's $10.5 million contract.
In addition, the Arizona Coyotes chipped in to help accommodate the Rangers by taking on 50% of the remaining salary on Kane's contract. As part of the Coyotes retaining 50% of the Rangers' 50% share, New York has sent Arizona a third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
The news came as no surprise, as Kane – who's in the final year of his contract and largely controlled his future with a no-trade clause – had been eyeing the Rangers as a destination for some time while the rebuilding Blackhawks play out the string of a rough season.
While the Blackhawks have been struggling as a group this season, Kane is having another strong season with 45 points (16+ 29) in 54 games.
Kane, 34, is a nine-time All-Star and was a central figure in the Blackhawks’ dynasty in the 2010s, helping lead them to Stanley Cup titles in 2010, 2013 and 2015. He ranks third in Blackhawks history in goals (446), second in assists (779) and second in points (1,225).
The Blackhawks selected the South Buffalo native with the first-overall pick in the 2007 NHL Draft.
Kane is also third all-time in NHL history in points by an American-born player.
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