The Rangers return home after their three-game Western Canada trip to face the Jets at home tonight. Following the contest against Winnipeg, who blew a 2-1 lead heading into the third period against New Jersey to fall 4-2 yesterday, New York gets two days off before heading on the road to face a hot Detroit team Thursday and Washington on Saturday. To show how crazy the schedule is, the Blueshirts then face the Kings at home the next day before having two more days off and another set of back-to-back games. The practice lines this morning have additional tweaks. Tyler Motte, re-acquired yesterday, is on the fourth line as expected. Coach Gerald Gallant moved Jimmy Vesey back to the first line, sliding Vladimir Tarasenko back to skate again with Artemi Panarin and VIncent Trocheck. I am not sure why Gallant would change what seemed to be working with Panarin-Trocheck-Vesey unless he wants to see if Tarasenko is a fit there and he knows that Vesey can play on any line.
Kreider - Zib - Vesey Panarin - Trocheck - Tarasenko Laf - Chytil - Kakko Motte - Leschyshyn - Goodrow
We know the Rangers will make at least one more change. The likelihood is that addition will take place on the fourth line where Jake Leschyshyn will be replaced. Sam Lafferty, Nick Bjugstad and Nick Bonino are the primary candidates still mentioned with Ivan Barbashev looking like the least likely of those four options due to available cap space and cost to acquire.
Many would like Vitali Kravtsov shot to the moon, and he very well might be part of a deal like this, or more likely the one below. But if he does stay, call me crazy or a sentimentalist, but I just have a hunch he will have a big moment for the team down the stretch. He has requested a trade, but that ask was not done publicly, nor has he been a distraction. Kravtsov wants to play, which is preferable to someone who just wants t o collect a check. Mistakes were made on both sides, how this ends is fairly clear, just when and where he goes remains to be seen.
For those clamoring for or still believe Patrick Kane lands in New York, see the below. To clear sufficient space, barring a third team being involved, New York would have to move out Leschyshyn's contract by February 26 and also include Kravtsov in a deal. If you believe Kane is the difference maker, then the five goals he has scored the last two games is evidence that the hip injury is not the reason for his struggles. The flip side is that it is an aberration and he is raising his trade value in what really is fools gold. I leave that view up to you.
Due to more popular demand (and for fun), the cut-off date to send down Leschyshyn & accrue enough space by deadline in order to fit Kane @ 25% w/ Kravtsov leaving is...
— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) February 20, 2023
Feb 26 (waived by Feb 25 & claimed/sent down by Feb 26) to fit $1.75M+ additional cap hit at trade deadline pic.twitter.com/49y3jgMLoG
My opinion is that while I would love Kane, the cost to acquire, especially if another first rounder is involved may be too high, given the injury concerns. Adding a fourth liner to me makes more sense. But if Kane is acquired, that means Vesey slides down to the fourth line, which does strengthen that trio, as it then would be Motte-Goodrow-Vesey. GM Chris Drury has done an excellent job the last two trade deadlines. His decision here may not come until March 3 and could be driven by where Timo Meier lands. If Meier does go to NJ or Carolina, Drury could feel the need to respond in kind, presuming Kane remains healthy and approves a deal. Kane's view could be altered by the fact that Jonathan Toews looks unlikely to move due to his current illness as he might feel a responsibility to stay in the Windy City.
The next 12 days should be interesting.