New York Rangers winger Patrick Kane has dropped hints that he may be leaving the organization this summer. Acquired in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks back in February 2023, the Rangers sent a conditional second and fourth-round pick for the 2023 NHL Draft in exchange for the star forward. With Kane’s contract now expired, he is an unrestricted free agent (UFA) and based on his recent comments, it seems unlikely that he will be re-signing with the Rangers.
During his 19 regular season games with the team, Kane contributed 5 goals and 7 assists for a total of 12 points. In the first-round playoff series against the New Jersey Devils, which saw the Rangers eliminated in Game 7, Kane tallied 1 goal and 5 assists, adding up to 6 points. The 34-year-old veteran shared his thoughts on the organization and his future, stating, “I don’t have a bad word to say about the organization…I think it’s a special group in here. I think they’ll find a way to win.” He alos said, “If I can I feel better, with this team and with this opportunity, I would love that chance. I know they have young guys to sign and probably other priorities. But I don’t have a bad thing to say about the organization and the situation.”
The Rangers are currently facing a difficult cap situation, with almost no cap space available if they maintain their existing roster. Several players, such as Alexis Lafrenière, K’Andre Miller, and goaltender Jaroslav Halak or a different potential backup, are free agents and will require new contracts. This summer will undoubtedly be a challenging one for the New York Rangers, as they navigate a tight cap situation and determine the future of their roster, including the possible departure of Patrick Kane, and others.
