Blackhawks star Patrick Kane leaves team amid trade talk

Chicago Blackhawks star right winger Patrick Kane has left the team's trip in California to return to Chicago, the team announced on Saturday.

With the NHL trade deadline less than a week away, Kane has been long rumored to leave the Blackhawks with the idea that the New York Rangers could land his services.

Given the mutual interest between Kane and the Rangers, there has been a surge in momentum toward a possible deal, sources told ESPN's Emily Kaplan. It also comes with the caveat that Kane, who is a pending unrestricted free agent, has a no-movement clause which means the Blackhawks would hypothetically have to accept whatever the Rangers are willing to offer in return.

Rangers forward Vitali Kravstov was traded to Vancouver Canucks for forward Will Lockwood and a 7th round pick in the 2026 draft, the teams announced on Saturday. That move helps clear $875,000 in salary cap space for the Rangers, while landing the team a draft asset.

The Rangers are also hoping to find a third-party broker who could retain part of Kane's salary to help alleviate the cost of Kane's $10.5 million cap hit, sources told Kaplan.

Kane's potential departure intensified Saturday with the news that Kane would not play against the San Jose Sharks. Shortly thereafter, the Rangers placed forward Jake Leschyshyn and his $766,667 cap hit on waivers. CapFriendly projects the Rangers currently have $206,292 in available cap space.

Adding Kane, who has scored 16 goals and 45 points in 54 games this season, would strengthen the Rangers' top-six forward corps in their bid to win a Stanley Cup.

Earlier this month, the Rangers acquired winger Vladimir Tarasenko in a trade with the St. Louis Blues. The Rangers, who entered Saturday third in the Metropolitan Division, have received two goals and four points in Tarasenko's seven games with the club.