Rangers can still get Patrick Kane with this Vitali Kravtsov move

NHL

By Larry Brooks

February 20, 2023 | 3:33pm

The Rangers filled a top-six hole with the Feb. 9 acquisition of Vladimir Tarasenko from the Blues and then enhanced the fourth line with Sunday’s reacquisition of Tyler Motte from the Senators.

But in a powerhouse Eastern Conference that will become more of a gauntlet if either the Devils or ‘Canes come away with the Sharks’ Timo Meier, it still seems as if the Blueshirts could still be a piece shy — and without the necessary cap space to be able to make another substantial addition.

GM Chris Drury will have a projected $909,000 at the deadline with which to work, and if you know anything, $909,000 just doesn’t go as far as it used to. Even a 50 percent retention on the other end wouldn’t clear enough space to make another splash.

But what if the Blueshirts could add another $2 million of deadline space with the click of a computer key? What if the Rangers could still find a way to land Patrick Kane?

What if the Rangers could present a top six of Kane, Tarasenko, Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider and Vincent Trocheck on top of the Kids and a fourth unit that would comprise Motte, Barclay Goodrow and Jimmy Vesey?

What if they could set themselves up for that by waiving Vitali Kravtsov?

Well, they could.

After more than a week of the hierarchy dangling Kravtsov, calling interest in No. 74 “soft” would represent the overstatement of the year. There appears to be no interest at all in the 23-year-old winger.

I find it somewhat strange that none of the teams out of playoff contention would take a flier on this talented Russian, but we’re told that that there is fear that Kravtsov, a pending restricted free agent, will return to the KHL next season.

A week ago, upon confirming that Kravtsov had asked to be moved, I wrote that it would be a mistake to deal him for a fourth-line rental and that the GM should require more value in return for the ninth-overall selection of the 2018 draft. I wrote too soon.

Because without a market, Kravtsov — scratched for fifth straight game and ninth time in the last 10 for Monday’s Garden match against Winnipeg — is now costing the Rangers cap space and a roster spot. And his continued presence on the roster is preventing Drury from more big-game hunting.

According to CapFriendly, subtracting Kravtsov from the roster on Wednesday would add just under another $2 million in deadline capital. That would apply if the Blueshirts place No. 74 on waivers Tuesday, regardless of whether he is claimed or clears.

Making like the stand-in President Bill Mitchell at the cabinet meeting in the movie, “Dave,” you take that, add it to the original $909,000, that gives you around $2.9 million, you get the Blackhawks to retain half of Kane’s…