The Rangers acquired defenseman KeithYandle, defenseman Chris Summers and a 2016
Keith Yandle (Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports)
fourth-round pick in exchange for defenseman John Moore, prospect Anthony Duclair, a 2016 lottery-protected first-round draft pick and a second-round pick in 2015. The Coyotes are also retaining 50 percent of Yandles salary as part of the deal.
Yandle has 4 goals and 37 assists in 63 games this season with the Coyotes.
Yandle started in his first game as a Blueshirt Monday night alongside Klein, Nash, Brassard and Zuccarello against the league leading Nashville Predators.
Yandle will be strong for the teams power play as he is tied for the league lead in power play assists with 24, tied for 3rd in power play points with 26 as well leading all NHL defensemen in power play assists and points.
He is also tied for 1st among all defenseman in assists and tied for 10th in the league in assists this season.
Yandle was quoted to be “the final piece of a Stanley Cup-winning team” according to Arizona EVP and GM Don Maloney.
"I think Keith could be the final piece of a Stanley Cup-winning team." Arizona EVP & GM Don Maloney#NYR
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 2, 2015
Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather is known for taking risks when it comes to the trade deadline and let it be known once again with this transaction.
"I've been shopping 4 this guy 4 a while..he's the type player I like…it's a calculated risk..but I think it's well worth it"-Sather #NYR
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 2, 2015
Mats Zuccarello
Adding to the trade deadline mayhem was the re-signing of right-wing Mats Zuccarello. The extension is for four years and includes a full no-trade clause in the first year.
Mats Zuccarello has been playing well on the second line and his three game goal scoring streak in early December certainly put him on the radar in many fantasy circles. (Icon SMI)
Zuccarello was signed to a one year, $3.5 million dollar deal last year and has worked his way to a long-term spot with the team this year. Zuccarello has 12 goals and 25 assists in 60 games this season.
Zuccarello is the highest scoring Norwegian-born player in the National Hockey League.
When asked about his take on Zuccarello, Sather responded with, “I like everything about him–his tenacity, his hard work, his seeing the ice, the way he plays, the chemistry he brings to our team and the way he is in the dressing room,” “He’s been a perfect player for us.”
Adding Depth
The Rangers acquired forward James Sheppard from San Jose in exchange for a 4th round pick in 2016 and forward Carl Klingberg from Winnipeg in exchange for Lee Stempniak.
OFFICIAL: #NYR have acquired forward James Sheppard from San Jose in exchange for the Rangers’ own 4th round pick in 2016.
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 2, 2015
Acquiring Yandle, Sheppard brings depth to the team’s defense and depth at forward, especially for a team struggling on the faceoff dot.
Keith Yandle wears #93 for New York and James Sheppard #45.
The Rangers are geared up to be strong contenders in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and still have their biggest acquisition coming post-deadline in the return of Henrik Lundqvist in net.
