The Devils have added some offensive help, acquiring winger Michael Grabner from the Rangers. In exchange, New York picks up New Jersey’s second-round pick in 2018 along with the rights to defenseman Yegor Rykov. Both teams have confirmed the swap which is the first ever trade between the two rivals.
Grabner was one of the more sought-after rental players heading into the trade deadline. He has been quite productive this season with 25 goals already, putting him on pace for his second career 30-goal campaign. With a $1.5MM cap hit, he was also one of the more affordable players out there which certainly helped build his value as well.
With New Jersey, the 30-year-old should play in their middle-six and give them plenty of speed on the wing. In particular, he will give them a boost at even strength as 24 of his 25 tallies have come in that situation which ranks him fourth overall in the NHL. He should also help their penalty kill as he has played a regular role shorthanded throughout his career.
As for Rykov, he was New Jersey’s fifth-round pick (132nd overall) back in 2016. He has played a regular role with SKA St. Petersburg, a KHL powerhouse. In 51 games this season, he has two goals and 12 assists while averaging 12:24 per night. The Rangers likely have seen a lot of Rykov as their top goalie prospect, Igor Shestyorkin, also plays for that team. As Rykov was drafted out of Russia, a country that does not have a player transfer agreement with the KHL, there is no deadline for New York to sign him as they will hold his rights indefinitely. He is under contract for one more season in the KHL.
TSN’s Darren Dreger was first to report (Twitter link) that Grabner had been dealt to the Devils while TSN’s Bob McKenzie was the first to note (Twitter link) Rykov’s inclusion in the trade.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Hard to believe its the first ever trade between the teams
Good return .Second rounder plus a down the road young D Man for a rental.Devils did well,too.
Was really hoping the Pens would have acquired him more than any other rental out there.
Honestly the pens are better off we don’t need another Hagelin type winger we are gonna move up and down the lineup, gmjr knows better, already got oleksiak at a steal(just like Schultz), better off using the few assets we have elsewhere gmjr will be on point..it’s all too familiar
Grabner is 100% better than Hagelin
At what, fantasy hockey?
Go check Malkin’s stats since Hagelin joined his line.
Also, Grabner would have vastly improved the PK by adding another quality speed PK guy keeping Hagelin fresher. Also added another speed winger to force the play like Hagelin does during 5 on 5 on another line.
Pretty good haul for the Rangers. This has to put Nash’s value at a minimum of what Grabner got. Nash currently doesn’t have the offensive numbers that Grabner has, but his game is probably more rounded out and a team would likely acquire him with the intention of being a top six winger.
I’d rather have Grabner.
You might find a sucker, but I’d pay far more for Grabner than Nash.
I love Grabner but you don’t watch a lot of Rangers hockey if you’d rather keep him over Nash.
I’ve seen enough of Rick Nash in the playoffs to know that I’d want Grabner.
Nash has been solid the past three years in the playoffs after that rough run to the Cup Finals.
Take away grabner’s empty net goals his numbers aren’t so good. Rangers did fantastic here.
ENG’s and breakaways unlikely to happen in the playoffs account for most of his goals.
Still, the value of speed in terms of forcing defensemen into mental mistakes can’t be discounted.
Forcing said mistakes on a line with either Sid or Kessel with him out there and more 5 on 5 goals from those two lines
On the other hand he only had one power play goal so those 15 even strength goals are pretty solid.
Ugh I was really hoping the bruins would get him
Seems fair. As a NYR fan I just worry about getting guys over from Russia. Now get Nash done.
I have faith in Gorton so far, but I just need to see how he does in regards to Nash and McDonagh
Damn Shero, nice add for the Devils.
But I didn’t want the Pens wasting assets on him when it wasn’t a great fit, so I’m glad he got moved.
Rutherford can now focus…it’s either Brassard or a bargain bin 4th line center for the Pen..