I didn’t figure they were gonna trade Gauthier for Motte. It could still turn out to be moronic. Especially if they don’t get that fourth line center.
Gauthier to me is a much better playoff fit against Tampa and Boston at full strength. On the other hand, I don't think our PK unit is great. I don't know how they were number 1 on the road. Dumb luck. They play so passive on the pk unit. Motte is a really good pk guy.
Cap space is the biggest hurdle, as there isn’t much time between now and the NHL trade deadline. The Rangers can only make this deal with two factors: Kane at 25%, meaning a three team trade, and One roster player on waivers (or trade) as of February 25, OR Two roster players on waivers (or trade) as of (roughly) February 28 That’s 1 and 2 OR 1 and 3. The precursor to any deal is a player on waivers, be it Ben Harpur, Vitali Kravtsov, or Jake Leschyshyn (waivers only, Leschyshyn cannot be traded per my knowledge). One of these dominoes needs to fall before Kane becomes a realistic trade scenario. These Patrick Kane rumors won’t go away yet, but we will have a clearer picture on February 25 and February 28. Those are the deadlines to clear cap space.
I'll say it again, the Rangers should absolutely do whatever they need to do in order to add Kane, and we need Kane to play his part and say I only want the Rangers please Blackhawks. If he does that he'll be a Ranger. With him we'd have the best forward group hands down. One of the best goalies. And I think a very good D. I'd say we'd be the SC favs if we add Kane. Get it done Drury and Kane by telling the Hawks NYR or bust. “So now Kane is recalibrating again,” Kaplan writes. “I believe he has asked to explore whether going to the Rangers is still an option. It’s not impossible, but it would require serious maneuvering.”
Kravtsov would be in the deal, then if you send down Lesycyhyn and maybe waive Harpur, perhaps you'd have 2.5m to add if Chicago eats 5m and the 3rd team takes on the last 2.5 or so. It would probably also require a 2nd and a decent prospect from us.
# 2 now met - Leschyshyn on waivers and Kravtsov traded, so we double covered it. Lock in the 3rd team to take on 25% of Kane's cap hit, most likely for a 4th rounder, and it's a done deal. Emily Kaplan Feb 25, 2023 @emilymkaplan As I reported on ABC pregame.. There’s mutual interest between Patrick Kane & New York Rangers, + momentum. As long as NY clears cap space & finds 3rd party broker, expectation is it gets done. With Kane yielding NMC power, Chicago takes whatever return Rangers willing to give.
Brooks writes that by making the two moves, they should have enough cap space to add Kane for Wednesday's game at Philly, and not have to wait until Friday. That would be nice, two additional games with Kane, 22 overall before the playoffs to get acclimated, and considering Lindgren may miss some games they'll only have to play short for hopefully one game against the Kings.
Hearing Kane is done. I wonder if they are getting the center back as well. Lafferty. Guess Drury feels their only chance is to outscore people which is a reflection on Gallant.
Really - you are hearing Kane is done - days after everyone already knew that, wow thanks. And not sure if you realize or not, but there is a salary cap in hockey. We will not be getting Lafferty as well. We can barely squeeze Kane in as is with 75% retained by two teams combined.
They weren't giving up Mercer or their top 2 defenseman prospects. So essentially they gave up 2 good defenseman prospects and a first and second which are conditional.
No surprise on Meier, the Devs had been rumored to get him for a long time. Good add for them. The conditional picks could be two 1st rounders though. The 1st in 2023 is a lock, it is only top 2 protected in case the Devs collapse, not happening. Then SJ gets the Devs 1st in 2024 as well if they make the ECF in 2023 or 2024 and Meier plays 50% of the games. So worst case a 1st in 2023 and a 2nd in 2024. That is not nothing. As for their team, I say let's drop the puck. If things hold that will be an awesome round 1 series between the Rangers and Devs, shame one team needs to go home due to the joke format in the NHL. Same with TB or Toronto, one team goes home after round 1, joke. To me the only way we don't play the Devs in round 1 is if somehow they catch the Canes and we play the Canes instead. They are 3 back now, and the Canes have a game in hand. Still favor the Canes and expect we have a great series coming up with NJ.
