Report: Rangers waive Jake Leschyshyn; Patrick Kane being held out, Ryan Lindgren injured

Anthony Scultore Updated: Feb 25, 2023

The New York Rangers have placed Jake Leschyshyn on waivers today in order to begin clearing cap space for an eventual Patrick Kane trade.

TSN’s Darren Dreger was the first to indicate this was happening.

Leschyshyn, 23, was claimed by the Rangers from the Vegas Golden Knights earlier in the season. In 13 games with the Blueshirts, he has not registered a point.

New York Rangers place Jake Leschyshyn on waivers

As the Rangers start to clear cap space, Patrick Kane is not going to play tonight for the Chicago Blackhawks. Another potential trade target, Sam Lafferty is also being held out for trade related reasons.

“Based on the current status of Patrick’s situation, we collectively felt it was more appropriate to have him not play during this period of reflection,” Brisson told Pierre LeBrun.

Patrick Kane won’t play tonight.
From his agent Pat Brisson:
“Based on the current status of Patrick’s situation, we collectively felt it was more appropriate to have him not play during this period of reflection.”
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) February 25, 2023

Kane, 34, has 16 goals and 45 points in 54 games. He’ll be a UFA in July.

Lafferty, 27, has 10 goals and 21 points in 51 games. He has one more year remaining at $1.15 million.

Ryan Lindgren injured

new york rangers ryan lindgren — Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Lindgren injured on a questionable hit by T.J. Oshie in Saturday’s matchup against the Washington Capitals during the first period.

On the play, Oshie hit him almost from behind dangerously close to the boards. Lindgren, came up favoring his left shoulder in great pain. Per ESPN’s Emily Kaplan, he was out for the game.

Lindgren, 25, has 17 points in 56 games this season and would be a huge loss. However, if he is placed on LTIR, that $3 million cap relief would make it easier and quicker to acquire Kane.

A stint on LTIR is a minimum of 10 games.