Patrick Kane is transferring from the Chicago Blackhawks to the New York Rangers

The long-rumored deal came three days before Friday’s close, ending weeks of speculation about Kane’s future. The 34-year-old winger should become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season and the Blackhawks, who finished bottom in the Western Conference 21-33-5, have said they are entering a rebuilding phase.

“We’re more likely to consider a remodel here,” general manager Kyle Davidson told NBC Sports Chicago last March. “There are some things that we really need to fix that will take time. We’re not going to put a timeline on whether it’s three or five [years] — I don’t have that answer now. That will be decided later on.”

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Kane, No. 1 in 2007, has played well this season, recording 16 goals and 29 assists in 54 games. Those numbers add to his robust career: In 1,161 games for the Blackhawks, Kane had 446 goals and 779 assists. In addition to Stanley Cup titles, Kane — a nine-time All-Star Game selection — has won the Hart Trophy for NHL MVP and the Art Ross Trophy for leading the league in points.

Kane is the second high-profile winger to be acquired from Rangers in February. On February 9, the St. Louis Blues sent Vladimir Tarasenko and defenseman Niko Mikkola to New York to pick forward Sammy Blais, potential Hunter Skinner, a conditional first-round pick in 2023 and a fourth-round pick in 2024 pick up.

Some believed the deal could put the Kane talks on the table, and the veteran himself reacted negatively to the news.

“It’s not exactly the happiest thing I’ve ever heard of a trade,” Kane later told reporters. “If things were going to happen that was a team I definitely looked at. It seems like they filled their void and struck a deal. So it is what it is.”

Rangers, currently third in the Metropolitan Division, weren’t done yet. Kane, a native of Ox, has a full no-trade clause in his contract, meaning he can choose his next destination. Last week, reported the Athletic Kane only considered Rangers in a potential move.

“I am so grateful for everything the city, the Blackhawks organization, my teammates and the fans have done for me and my family over the past 16 years – the support has been constant from day one and Chicago will forever be our home.” be.” Kane said in a statement released by the Blackhawks. “…I look forward to this next step in my career and will forever be grateful for all I have received from the Blackhawks and Chicago.”