Kane Watch is over. Detroit to sign Patrick Kane. What do the Rangers do at RW?
With Kane now off-the-table, what are the options for the Rangers going forward? We need a legit RW that can slot into the role Kakko was supposed to be playing
In a not-so-shocking move, Patrick Kane is reportedly signing with the Detroit Red Wings ending months of speculation, and dashing the dreams of a contingent of Rangers fans.
BREAKING: Patrick Kane has decided to join the Detroit Red Wings as he returns to the NHL following offseason hip surgery, per sources.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) November 28, 2023
Since Kaapo Kakko's apparent knee injury last night (which, in my opinion, is the result of a slew-foot-style play by Erik Johnson), Rangers fans have been ramping up the "Sign Kane" rhetoric.
This looks terrible for Kakko. #NYR pic.twitter.com/raePt4latm
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) November 28, 2023
This makes perfect sense salary wise and it fills the growing need to shore up the team's right side. But with Kane now off-the-table, what are the options for the Rangers going forward?
Before we dive into the options, we need to clarify that the issue is that we were deficit "proper" right wingers at the beginning of the season. With Chytil out, we've had even less flexibility.
- Lafrenière has been very successful since moving to the right side.
- Wheeler is playing better, but not great on the top line with Mika and Kreider.
- Kakko has been relatively ineffective to the point of demotion.
- Vesey has been excellent for the 4th line, Pitlick has been okay.
That's our depth on the right side, and with Kakko now out for the foreseeable future we need a legit RW that can slot into the role Kakko was supposed to be playing.
