Rangers deal with Devils

The New York Rangers and rival New Jersey Devils hook up on a 4 player trade that sees the Rangers acquire 2nd line center Shawn Horcoff and a 2nd round pick in 2010.

Headed to the New Jersey Devils is a trio headed by elder statesman Mike Modano. He is joined by young forward Patrick Kaleta and defenceman Brian Lee.

"We had hoped to keep Lee with the Rangers this year, but it became pretty apparent after the Penner/Brunnette deal (with the team STILL over the cap) that we needed to make a move to shed some additional salary while maintaining strong. We felt that with our depth at Defence moving Lee was something that we would be able to handle. The kicker is that we had to move Modano to give this team the room needed to fit the team as it is currently constructed under the cap. Overall, we felt that with Horcoff coming in, he would more than replace Modano. That's not meant as a knock on Mike as we have the utmost respect for him and what he has accomplished in his career, but that with the roster we have, we need to make sure that we have a player in the prime of his career centering that 2nd line. Lee will be replaced by Victor Hedman while Jay McKee slides into that #6 hole. Eventually Patrick Kaleta will be replaced by youngster Evgeny Grachev. While Grachev is currently listed as a Center, we expect him to make this team as a winger. The 2nd rounder ensures that we have a reason to show up at the draft next year."