Obsessive Patrick Kane Trade Watch: What’s Holding Up The Rangers Deal?
It’s now after noon CT on Sunday and Patrick Kane is still a member of the Chicago Blackhawks.
He isn’t on the road with the team any longer; he returned to Chicago yesterday and was seen skating at Fifth Third Arena this morning — still in his Blackhawks gear. And he likely won’t play another game for the Blackhawks because the deal to the Rangers is reportedly done and agreed upon.
So what’s the hold-up?
No, this isn’t “Patrick Kane dragging his heels.” Even if that’s what some fans are going to claim on Twitter. And no, this isn’t Patrick Kane “holding the Blackhawks for ransom.” Again, even though some people might tweet that. The reality today is the same as it has been for months. Kane has an expensive contract that is going to take a lot of financial gymnastics to make work.
However, as we noted yesterday, a new variable was thrown into this conversation yesterday afternoon. Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren reportedly left the arena yesterday with his arm in a sling; he went into the boards in an ugly way and didn’t return to the game.
If the Rangers can/need to put Lindgren on LTIR because of an injury, they could make the Kane deal on Sunday. If the Rangers don’t want him to miss the mandatory ten games and 24 days that come with being on LTIR, then this process continues to progress at the snail’s pace that some Chicago fans are refusing to accept as necessary.
