One serious suitor reportedly steps out of Patrick Kane sweepstakes

Fans are left wondering what will happen to Patrick Kane ahead of the trade deadline. Will he leave the Chicago Blackhawks to join a Stanley Cup contender ahead of March 3rd?

If ever a suitor comes in with the right offer and Hawks general manager Kyle Davidson feels Kane would prefer to get another shot at the championship than staying in Chicago, we could see Kane on the move. However, Larry Brooks of the New York Post believes it won’t be to join the Rangers.

On Wednesday, Brooks questioned in his latest column how Kane may not be the right fit at the moment for the Rangers and might not be what the team needs to ensure a long playoff run.

He also questioned if Kane would fit because he has spent his entire career with the Blackhawks. Brooks compares him to Martin St. Louis when he came to New York after his long career with the Tampa Bay Lightning:

“after 16 seasons in Chicago with the only organization with which he has ever been affiliated, would the post-deadline slate of 20 games give Kane enough time to adapt to an entire new hockey life? Remember, when Marty St. Louis came to the Rangers after close to a lifetime in Tampa Bay, he scored one goal in 19 games.”

On top of that, Brooks reminds the Rangers about their cap situation and what they would have to give up in return for Kane, who’s been dealing with nagging injuries.

“And if the Rangers are able to pull off a deal for Kane at a $5.25 million cap obligation that represents a 50 percent markdown, would that be all they could do? Would Drury have assets left to deal and space reserved for other additions?”

These are tough questions to answer, especially at a crucial time leading to the trade deadline with many suitors in the mix. Kane has also been linked to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vegas Golden Knights and Los Angeles Kings to name a few.

Brooks wonders if St. Louis Blues’ Vladimir Tarasenko could be a better option if the Rangers are set on a monster trade before March. As for added depth up front, the reporter points to Tyler Bertuzzi, Tyler Motte, Ivan Barbashev and Nick Bjugstad and even “Nashville’s 25-year-old physical winger, Tanner Jeannot, a pending restricted free agent who will come with arbitration rights off an expiring contract worth an AAV of $800,000.”

While Brooks shuts down the Rangers as a destination for Kane, he at least brings a few options in the mix that could get New York the boost they need for the postseason.

Maybe Brooks is following up on Frank Seravalli’s buyer beware warning…

Recommended articles:

• Trade brewing between Maple Leafs and Blackhawks?
• Rangers set to make the biggest splash on the trade front
• Max Domi doesn’t get the same trade treatment as Kane, Toews
• Rangers turn the page on Patrick Kane and are now going after another pending free agent star