LAS VEGAS — Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but the Rangers are interested in bringing Patrick Kane (back) to Broadway.
Very interested.
The Blueshirts have been publicly attached to a number of high-profile impending free agents, such as Jake Guentzel and Tyler Toffoli, as the July 1 market takes shape pretty much because the Blueshirts are always publicly attached to high-profile pending free agents at this time of year.
But it is our best information that the Blueshirts have their eyes trained on a reunion with Kane, whose 19-game cameo following the 2023 deadline, when he was compromised because of hip issues, left everyone wanting more.
Kane, who will turn 36 this November, underwent a hip-surfacing procedure within a month after the Rangers were eliminated by the Devils in the first round of the playoffs, rehabbed through the summer, and signed a one-year free agent deal worth $2.75 million with Detroit at the end of November.
The winger made his season debut Dec. 7 and recorded 20 goals and 27 assists for 47 points in 50 games as the Red Wings were eliminated from playoff contention on the final night of their season. He was healthy.
Kane has not ruled out a return to the Red Wings. It is believed No. 88 will have multiple options if he indeed hits the market Monday. It is unclear whether Kane would be willing to sign a one-year, over-35 contract filled with bonuses to return to Manhattan or whether he would seek a multiyear commitment.
The Rangers have approximately $15.55M of cap space for the coming season — working off a shadow roster of nine forwards, four defensemen and two goaltenders that does not include impending restricted free agents Ryan Lindgren and Braden Schneider, or bubble forwards Jonny Brodzinski, Matt Rempe and Adam Edstrom.
A one-year deal would fit this year, but earned bonuses would be attached to 2025-26, a season that is looming to be a serious challenge with second contracts coming due on Igor Shesterkin, Alexis Lafreniere and K’Andre Miller.
Kane, who recorded 12 points (5-7) in his stint with the Rangers before adding six points (1-5) in the seven-game series against New Jersey, played just a handful of games with Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad two years ago. Indeed, the triumvirate was on for just 49:18 at five-on-five while on for two goals and one against.
That’s too teeny a sample size from which to derive much of anything, but if the Rangers come back with the Kreider-Zibanejad connection, Kane would add speed and elite playmaking ability to the mix. He would bring the speed he did not have two years ago when he was impaired, but he would not bring the size and physicality the Rangers needed four weeks ago against Florida.
The notion of both the Rangers and Kane feeling that there is unfinished business to address fits a romantic narrative. There’s certainly some truth to that. But romance has nothing to do with crafting a contract agreement. Kane, who may choose to remain in Detroit, is in control here.
The Rangers are believed to have checked in on Guentzel, but it is almost impossible to imagine how they would be able to sign the winger — who has played the left essentially his entire career — to his expected asking price of $8.5M per.
First, Kreider and his $6.5M cap hit would have to go. But even if GM Chris Drury and the hierarchy entertain moving Kreider, No. 20’s 15-team no-trade list is due July 1 … by which time Guentzel probably will have already signed with his new team. (It may not be a new team, as we’re told Carolina is engaged in a serious effort to turn No. 59’s rental status into a long-term relationship.)
Again, though, the Blueshirts might be able to massage the salary-cap hit this season, though they’d be walking a tightrope all year. It’s 2025-26 and beyond that must inform this summer.
For if you allot an approximately $26M cap hit combined for Shesterkin, Lafreniere and Miller for 2025-26, the Rangers would have $60M allotted to seven players (Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, Adam Fox and the aforementioned trio). That would not include Kreider ($6.5M) or Jacob Trouba ($8M). The Rangers would have approximately $32M to fill 15 spots
That is why it is unrealistic for the Rangers not only to be in the hunt for Guentzel, but also impending free agents such as Toffoli, Jake DeBrusk, Vlad Tarasenko, Tyler Bertuzzi or Jonathan Marchessault. Not one is his prime. Everyone will be overpaid.
There is another intriguing potential free agent out there, and his name is Steven Stamkos. If the 34-year-old Tampa Bay icon were to signal his desire for a short-term deal to come to New York, I’d say Drury and the hierarchy would be more than happy to listen. I’m not sure why Stamkos would want to do that, though.
The more pertinent questions are, A) does Kane wants to return? And, B) could the Rangers make it work?
Is this the time for Showtime on Broadway?
