Analyzing the New York Rangers’ 2015 NHL Trade Deadline Moves
By Nick Villano
@nick_villano
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The New York Rangers are the defending Eastern Conference Champions. Many believed they were still pretty far away from returning this season, and the Rangers knew they needed to make some moves to compete with the likes of the Montreal Canadiens and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Heck, this team isn’t even the best one in New York this season – the New York Islanders have been the biggest surprise on the ice this year.
The Rangers were very active all day on the day before deadline day. They made all the moves they needed, so they didn’t really make any moves the day after.
The major move the Rangers made was trading for former Arizona Coyotes defenseman Keith Yandle. They made the move in exchange for John Moore, Anthony Duclair and two picks; the Rangers also got Chris Summers and a fourth-round pick in the deal. This move is huge for the Rangers, because they have been getting inconsistent offense from the blue line this year. Kevin Klein was leading their defense in points. While he is having a career year, he still shouldn’t be in this position. With Yandle on the roster, those issues will no longer be there.
The team made a move almost immediately after this one to send Lee Stempniak to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for Carl Klingberg. They seemed to have received a player who plays very well in the AHL, and lost a player who actually added something to this team. It seems like this move was clearly to get salary cap relief.
The Rangers then made an under-the-radar move to acquire James Sheppard from the San Jose Sharks. Sheppard actually was second on the team in points in the playoffs last season, and he will be great once the postseason starts for the Rangers.
Of the three moves that the Rangers made towards the deadline, two were amazing. Getting Yandle could be the move they needed to get over the hump, and Sheppard is that under the radar player who could replace Stempniak in the lineup. Overall, the Rangers definitely improved their team this year, and might have done enough to be an Eastern Conference contender.
Nick Villano is the New Jersey Devils writer for Rant Sports. He also adds to the site’s NBA, MLB and NFL content. You can follow him on Twitter or add him to your Google circle.
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