Kane was intrigued by possibility of trade to Rangers by Blackhawks

CHICAGO --Patrick Kane said he was disappointed to see the New York Rangers, a team he had interest in as a possible landing spot prior to the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline, acquire forward Vladimir Tarasenko from the St. Louis Blues on Feb. 9.

"It's not like the happiest I've been to hear about a trade, but I think the Rangers I definitely pay attention to, intrigued by for obvious reasons," the forward said prior to the Blackhawks' 4-3 overtime victory against the Arizona Coyotes at home the next night.
Rangers forward Artemi Panarin played two seasons with Kane in Chicago from 2015-17. The two had on-ice chemistry; playing on a line with Panarin, Kane had his first 100-plus point season in 2015-16, finishing with 106 (46 goals, 60 assists) in 82 games, and won the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL scoring leader.
The trade deadline is 3 p.m. ET on March 3.
"Just if things are going to happen, that was a team I was definitely looking at," Kane said. "It seems like they kind of filled their void and went ahead and made a deal. So it is what it is."
RELATED: [Tarasenko traded to Rangers by Blues | 2022-23 NHL Trade Tracker]
Kane has 35 points (nine goals, 26 assists) in 48 games this season, tied for the Blackhawks lead with forward Max Domi (14 goals, 21 assists). His 1,215 points (439 goals, 776 assists) are second in Chicago history to Stan Mikita's 1,467 (541 goals, 926 assists).
Kane is in the final season of an eight-year contract he signed with the Blackhawks on July 9, 2014. He and captain Jonathan Toews, who each helped Chicago win the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013 and 2015, have been the subjects of much speculation entering the trade deadline. Each has a full no-move clause in his contract.
Toews, a center, has not skated with the Blackhawks since they resumed practices off their bye week Sunday. He's third on Chicago with 28 points (14 goals, 14 assists), and sixth in Blackhawks history with 880 (371 goals, 509 assists).
The Rangers felt the asking price was too high for Kane and had concerns with his injury. Kane missed three games earlier this season with a lower-body injury. On Jan. 12, he said the injury was related to the nagging "issue" that has been bothering him since the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Asked if he heard from his agent, Pat Brisson, about New York's concerns, Kane said, "I think that's really for (Blackhawks general manager) Kyle [Davidson] to decide when he's talking to different teams.
"I mean, he can hear from Pat about what teams might be interested. But it's ultimately up to Kyle to make those deals, and [I'm] not putting fault on him or anything. I mean, we haven't really gotten to him and told him much anyways, yet. So I think to me, it seemed like the deal was out there for them (the Rangers) to be made, and they made it."
Kane said his injury situation being an issue for teams heading toward the trade deadline is being overblown.
"I'm not really sure what the story is out there, to be honest with you," he said. "But I would say my issue could, I mean, I think I feel better than I did last year and I had a pretty good season last year. So, it's just one of those things. I think maybe it's just a story leaks out and it piles up a little bit."
Kane said he'll continue to speak with Brisson about trade possibilities.
"Conversations every day," he said. "Just, you know, trying to figure things out. And probably make a decision in the next couple of weeks here and just go with that."