Rangers making moves

In a move to bolster an already strong center position, the Rangers have acquired Clagary Flames center Mikko Koivu  for winger David Backes  and defenceman Paul Martin . Kurt Sauer now finds himself back on the pro roster after being demoted following the Girardi acquisition. 

"With the flexibility that we have in terms of some of our centers being able to play the wing position this was a deal we felt we had to do. Having Kopitar, Koivu and Vermette down the middle provides us as strong a back-bone as any in the league. We wish nothing but good things for both Backes and Martin in their new environment and know that they will help that franchise."

The Rangers followed that up with a stunning move to acquire the Dallas Stars budding power forward James Neal  for winger Martin Erat , prospect Derek Stepan  and the Rangers 1st rounder in 2011.

"While we we like the flexibility that Filppula provides in his ability to play the wing position, we felt that it was important to seek out a natural winger to compliment the guys we have. It also helps that we can shift Ilya to RW to further bolster our top 3 lines and balance out our attack."