There was no waffling, no hesitation by the Ranger GM. He had seen the anemic power play and after the loss to the Flyers he had heard the coach lament about the power play, so he fixed it. At least he hoped he fixed it. After years of procrastination about fixing the power play the Rangers went out and got the premier D-man on the power play, Keith Yandle of the Arizona Coyotes.
Sure, we gave up hot prospect, Anthony Duclatr and John Moore and a draft pick, but when you are shooting for the moon you have to give up a lot. He also acquired 24 year old Carl Klingberg, who will be sent to Hartford and center James Sheppard a 6'1" 215 pound 26 year old center who adds a little beef to the front line. He has 5 goals and 11 assists in 59 games this year. Stempniak was lost in the Klingberg trade. Sheppard could be a big surprise for the team. He was a first round pick in 2006 for the Wild.
Yandle, in 63 games, has 4 goals and 37 assists. In nine NHL years he has been an All-Star two times. The Coyotes will pay half of Yandle's salary the rest of this year and next year. He makes $5.25/year. Career wise Yandle has 65 goals and 246 assists in 558 games. In playoff games he is more efficient going 3-16 in 27 games. He will become an unrestricted free agent after next season.
Also, Mats Zuccarello has been signed to a four year extension at about $4 mil/year. So the basic team is intact and all set to make a run for the Cup. All that needs to be done is the return of Lundqvist and then it's damn the torpedos, full speed ahead.
Bold move by The Stealth. Good move by The Stealth.
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