RANGERS PICK UP PATRICK KANE!
In a three-team trade, the New York Rangers acquired winger Patrick Kane and defenseman Cooper Zech from the Chicago Blackhawks; Chicago acquired a conditional second-round draft pick in 2023, a fourth-round draft pick in 2025 and defenseman Andy Welinski from the Rangers, and defenseman Vili Saarijarvi from the Arizona Coyotes; and Arizona acquired a conditional third-round draft pick in 2025 from the Rangers.
What does it give the New York Rangers
This trade has been talked about for weeks, if not months. Kane is finally headed to the Big Apple, where he joins a deep and talented young roster with Stanley Cup aspirations. He will likely play with Artemi Panarin, his former linemate in Chicago, and should make an impact (perhaps as much off the ice in terms of championship pedigree as on the ice).
What does it give the Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks are officially ending an era with the trade of future Hall-of-Fame winger Kane. The conditional second-rounder in '23 could turn into a first-rounder in either '24 or '25 if the Rangers reach the Eastern Conference final this spring. Saarijarvi is playing overseas but may get a chance with Chicago if he decides to return to North America next season.
What does it give the
The Coyotes were needed to complete this trade because they were able to retain 50 percent of Kane's cap hit for the rest of 2022-23. They sent Saarijarvi (who was not going to re-sign with Arizona) to Chicago and got back a conditional third-rounder from the Rangers.
Fantasy impact
Kane should be plenty motivated down the stretch, so his value moves up after this deal. Zech and Welinski are minor-league defensemen without any fantasy value, while Saarijarvi is a major long shot to make an impact upon his return to North America with the Blackhawks (if he decides to return).
