WELCOME ABOARD: The Rangers — seeking more offense as they make a playoff push — acquired power forward Ryane Clowe (above) from the Sharks for some draft picks yesterday. (AP)
The market was tilted in such a way that the Rangers got their man, and they got him at their price.
Without giving up any prized prospects, the Rangers landed power forward Ryane Clowe from the Sharks late yesterday afternoon, sending back a second-round pick and a third-round pick.
In addition, because Clowe is a pending free agent after this season, if he resigns with the Rangers, the Sharks will get another conditional second-round pick in 2014. They also will get that pick if the Rangers win two rounds of the playoffs, and if neither happens, the Sharks will get a fifth-round pick.
“We are extremely pleased to be able to acquire Ryane,” general manager Glen Sather said in a statement. “He is a unique combination of size, skill and toughness. His strong leadership and character make him a tremendous addition to our organization on and off the ice.”
The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Clowe had to waive his no-trade clause to come to the Rangers, whom he chose over the Canucks, among other teams. He carries a $3.625 million cap hit, and is expected to at least have talks with the Rangers concerning a contract extension.
The Rangers — usurped for eighth place in the Eastern Conference by the Islanders after a 5-2 win over the Jets last night at the Coliseum — have an estimated $11 million in cap space for next season. That does not include important “bridge” deals for restricted free agents Ryan McDonagh, Carl Hagelin and Derek Stepan. It also doesn’t include possible amnesty buyouts, which could mean significant savings if it were Brad Richards ($6.67 million) or Marian Gaborik ($7.5 million).
This trade also does not eliminate the chance of the Rangers continuing to make moves as today’s 3 p.m. deadline approaches, just before they begin a home-and-home series with the first-place Penguins. They are assumed to be shopping Gaborik — with little outside interest — and could be looking to make a salary-dump move in getting rid of a bottom-six forward, including Brian Boyle ($1.7 million) or Taylor Pyatt ($1.55 million).
The Rangers also are still in the market to add a defenseman, a much needed part as Marc Staal continues to recover from his right-eye injury.
Clowe, 30, has zero goals in 28 games for the Sharks, yet does have two 20-goal seasons on his resume. The Rangers are currently last in the league in scoring (2.26 goals per game). Clowe can add some grit up front for a team that is second-to-last in the league with 12 fighting majors through 35 games. He had 79 penalty minutes for the Sharks, and has two 100-penalty-minute seasons under his belt.
Though there are no roster limits, it can be expected the Rangers will send down either, or both, Chris Kreider and J.T. Miller. Coach John Tortorella had expressed worry over their development after Monday’s 4-2 win over the Jets, and has never been one for an overcrowded practice rink.
* Jesper Fast joined the Rangers for his first practice yesterday after practicing with the Connecticut Whale (AHL) since last Wednesday.
“I’m very excited to come here and meet the players — it’s a big day for me,” said the speedy Swedish winger. “There were some nerves.”
The 21-year-old Fast — formerly Fasth — is in Year 1 on his three-year entry-level contract, which would carry a salary-cap hit of $900,000 if the Rangers decided to keep him for their run to the playoffs. Yet Tortorella said he has “no idea” Fast is a guy that could be integrated into the lineup.
“We just want to take a look at him,” Tortorella said. “I got a chance to talk to him before practice just to say hello. So we don’t know where it goes.”