The New York Rangers have acquired defenseman Keith Yandle from the Arizona Coyotes ahead of Monday’s trade deadline. The Rangers have also acquired Chris Summers, Arizona’s first round pick in 2006 and a fourth round pick in 2016. The Rangers have sent top prospect Anthony Duclair, John Moore a 1st round pick in 2016 and a 2nd round pick. As part of the deal, the Coyotes take on 50% of Yandle’s deal. Elliote Friedman of Sportsnet first reported the deal.
Keith Yandle is an American born defenseman who is in his prime at 28 years old. This year Yandle has 41 points, 3 goals and 37 assists. The Coyotes picking up most of Yandle’s deal was necessary for the Rangers to pull the trigger on the deal as the Rangers are close to resigning Mats Zucarello. Keith Yandle was an assistant captain and much loved player by both fans and teammates in Phoenix. Yandle is a two-time all star. Yandle is tied for 10th in the league with 37 assists, and is tied for the league lead for defenseman with the same number of assists. One key aspect of Keith Yandle’s game is his durability, playing in 448 consecutive games. Yandle has 1 year remaining on his deal with $5.75 million left. Today the New York Rangers announced on Twitter that Yandle will wear #93 when he suits up for the Blueshirts. Chris Summers the other player acquired by the Rangers was playing for the Portland Pirates of the AHL at the time of the deal and will likely be sent to the Rangers minor league team the Hartford Wolf Pack.
The Rangers have not provided a quote on this deal yet today. The Rangers hope that this deal helps them get to the Cup finals as they did last year, falling short to the Los Angeles Kings in 5 games. The Rangers general manger has pulled off marquee deals like this in the last three offseason around the trade deadline, with the Rangers trading Marian Gaborik to Columbus for Derrick Brassard, Derek Dorsett and John Moore in 2013 and Ryan Callahan for Martin St. Louis last year. Currently the Rangers are 2 points behind the New York Islanders for first place in the division but have 3 games on the Isles. Yandle will provide the Rangers a much needed power play quarter back, a point of need for quite a long time for the Rangers. The Rangers did trade away their top prospect in Duclair in this deal but they need to win now, which is the reason they made this deal, with Henrik Lundqvist turning 33 tomorrow.