The New York Rangers have traded winger Michael Grabner to the New Jersey Devils for a 2018 2nd round pick and Yegor Rykov.
The 30-year old Grabner was drafted 14th overall in the 1st round of the 2006 by the Canucks. He’s a pending UFA and carries a $1.65 million salary cap hit.
The 20-year old Rykov was drafted 132nd overall in the 5th round of the 2016 draft by the Devils.
Thoughts from the media …
Dennis Bernstein: An NHL executive on the Grabner trade: “Very good value for NYR, 2nd rd pick for 3rd liner & possible 4-5 NHL D in Rykov, who is poor man’s Dmitri Orlov (B+ prospect). Catch is he’s playing in KHL, they tend to lock up players. If he comes over it’s a bonus, that’s the trick for NYR”
Pierre LeBrun: “The Devils were a late arriving entry to the Grabner bidding. Some 10 teams showed interest and they were one of the last to reach out but made a late push and got him.”
Brian Lawton: “Grabner of @NYRangers return depending on the prospect will be considered a bit of a win for @NJDevils which may open up the market a bit. A 2nd and a prospect for a guy that is capable of giving elite goalscoring 5 on 5, low cap hit, zero pp time is a valuable commodity.”
Todd Cordell: “I like Rykov but he was a 5th round pick just over a year ago. He and a 2nd rounder for an elite skater who has scored 52 goals since the beginning of 2016-17 seems like a nice deal.”
Tom Gulitti: “Yegor Rykov, lefty shooting D, was Devils’ 2016 fifth round pick. Some places listed as Igor. Was playing in KHL this season with SKA St. Petersburg.”
Michael Traikos: “Wonder if the Devils grabbing Grabner causes Isles or Blue Jackets to do something.”
Brennan Klak: “First ever deal done in NHL history between #NYR and #NJDevils
Michael Grabner
Yegor Rykov
