The New York Rangers have traded Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller to the Tampa Bay Lightning for a 2018 1st round picks, conditional 2nd round pick, Vladislav Namestnikov, Libor Hajek, and Brett Howden.
Elliotte Friedman: If the Lightning win the Cup this season or next, the 2nd round pick would become a 1st round pick.
Thoughts from the media …
John Shannon: “NYR President Glen Sather traveled with the team on the charter, in order to tell JT Miller he was traded. That way he wouldn’t have to be told by team personnel when they landed in Vancouver.”
Elliotte Friedman: “From what I understand, Hajek was the guy NYR wanted to seal the deal”
Steve Kournianos: “Hajek went in the 2nd round in 2016 but I had him as a 1st. Love this kid’s game. Prolly wont put up more than 25-30 points but the kid can skate and doesnt buckle under pressure.”
Ryan Kennedy: “Libor Hajek is a solid all-around D-man who played very well for the Czechs at the world juniors. Skates well, munches minutes. Brett Howden is a 200-foot center with skill who won gold with Canada at the same tournament.”
Joe Smith: “With McDonagh in fold, #tblightning would need to lose a defenseman as it’s carrying eight. None of them are waiver-eligible”
Joe Smith: “The fact #tblightning didn’t lose Cal Foote, Taylor Raddysh, etc is good news for a still-deep system. Tough for them to lose Howden, a former first rounder, and Namestnikov, a 20-goal scorer and well-liked in room. But you’ve got to give up something good to get McDonagh”
Alex Nunn: “I like Namestnikov and Hajek, but that really is not enough for McDonagh AND Miller.”
NHL Numbers: “- Namestnikov has 20 goals in 62 games this year. Big time selling high here. – Hajek (D-man) was a 2016 second rounder (35 pts in 51 WHL games) – Howden (forward) was a 2016 first rounder (58 pts in 38 WHL games)”
Steve Kournianos: “Brett Howden is a Stepan-type 2-way playmaker. Strong center, smart all-round game and has size. Hajek is a big-bodied shutdown guy who can skate. Very good mobility, footwork and can play on a top pairing one day. Almost like a McDonagh-lite. Good late in games.”
Chris Johnston: “Of note: Vlad Namestnikov is a pending RFA with arb rights who is having a career year production-wise.”
Cam Robinson: “Brett Howden is a former first rounder and very solid centre prospect. Definite top six upside. Libor Hajek was a top performer at WJC and has legit top four upside. Those are two A- / B+ prospects”
Dimitri Filipovic: “Tampa Bay was making a lot of noise that they didn’t want to pay Namestnikov this summer, who was going to be in for a really nice raise after all of his time riding shotgun with Kucherov and Stamkos. I like him as a player, but makes sense that he’d be the piece to go.”
Adam Gretz: “I don’t understand this rebuild/reset by the Rangers.”
Chris Peters: “That’s a pretty solid haul for NYR. TB has a deeeep prospect pool. I like Hajek and Howden a lot (a lot, a lot), but it doesn’t empty the cupboard for what they got. Fascinating deal.”
Justin Bourne: “Depending how you rate McDonaugh, seems a quality haul for NYR. And if you’re TB, swapping Namestnikov for McDonaugh makes you better today. So, sure. Think TOR pursued hard but couldn’t match what TB was willing to give.”
Ryan Wagman: “Hajek impressed the hell out of me in the WJC. Howden a solid 3rd liner type. Namestnikov, it will be interesting to see how he does away from Stamkos/Kucherov. Has talent, for sure.”
Mike Kelly: “In terms of addressing needs, McDonagh to Tampa checks a ton of boxes. He moves puck well, blocks shots & passes at a high rate. Tampa is bottom 5 allowing shots from the middle and struggles to limit chances via rush. Mcdonagh steps in with 2nd best zone denial rate of TB D-men.”