Patrick Kane, 'One Of The Greatest Blackhawks' Traded To New York

CHICAGO — Patrick Kane, who helped guide the Chicago Blackhawks to three Stanley Cup championships between 2010 and 2015 and is considered to be one of the greatest players to wear the Hawks sweater, was traded to the New York Rangers in a three-team deal that shipped one of the franchise's most beloved players out of town.

Kane has been away from the team since Saturday when he was sent back to Chicago from San Jose as the Rangers began to make roster preparations and salary cap adjustments to make room for the Hawks star. Kane waved the no-movement clause in his contract to join the Rangers, who were his preferred destination, to allow him to be closer to his family in Buffalo.

"This has been an emotional time for me and my family, but I feel this decision puts me in the best spot to immediately win another Stanley Cup,” Kane said in a statement issued through the Hawks. “This isn’t about me leaving the Blackhawks, but this is an opportunity for me — the Blackhawks did everything they could to put me in a great position and I will forever be grateful."

The Hawks announced Tuesday night that they traded Kane and defenseman Cooper Zech for a second-round draft pick in the 2023 NHL Draft as well as a fourth-round pick in addition to defenseman Andy Welinski. The second-round pick could become a first-round pick should the Rangers advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. However, if the pick moves to a first-round draft pick, the Hawks would not be able to cash in the pick until 2024 or 2025.

The Hawks also received defenseman Vili Saarijarvi from the Arizona Coyotes as part of the deal.

The Hawks will pay half of Kane’s $10.5 million contract for the remainder of this season, ESPN reported, and the Arizona Coyotes could pay another half of that figure as part of the three-team trade.

The Hawks were hoping to land considerably more of a return for Kane. However, because the right winger and his agent held much of the bargaining power with the fact that Kane has so much say in where he was dealt. Kane pinpointed the Rangers to be reunited with his former linemate, Artemi Panarin.

“The contributions Patrick Kane has made to the Blackhawks organization and city of Chicago will never be forgotten," Hawks CEO Danny Wirtz said in a statement. "While today marks the end of an era for the team, he will forever be a part of the Blackhawks family.

“Three Stanley Cups, over 1,000 games, more than 1,200 points, over 400 goals, and countless awards are just part of the legacy he leaves here — one of the greatest Blackhawks players in club history.”

Kane, 34, was the first overall pick in the 2007 NHL Draft. Three years later, he scored the game-winning goal in the 2010 Stanley Cup Final against Philadelphia to deliver the Hawks’ first Stanley Cup in decades. Chicago went on to capture Cup victories in 2013 and 2015, but the team had struggled since.

Kane has been dealing with a hip injury for much of this season, which has limited his productivity. However, Kane has scored seven goals and 10 points in the past four games he appeared in for the Hawks before leaving the team.

It is bittersweet to leave a place that is so special to me, but I will always carry the memories we made in Chicago," Kane said. "I will miss the roar of the United Center, the deafening sound of the anthem, and the people of Chicago. Together, we made memories that will last a lifetime.”