A few thoughts on the Rangers deals
I don’t have much to say about the Rangers trade deadline moves, but here’s what I got.
The 2 names the Rangers picked up that might have an impact in the NHL this year are Fredrik Sjostrom and Josh Gratton.
The word on 24-year-old Sjostrom is that he’s a solid defensive Right Wing. I suppose that means he’s an instant upgrade from Hossa because this guy might actually back-check. Also, he’s Swedish. That’s a good thing.
Gratton is an enforcer, and will probably end up in Hartford if Colton Orr gets back in the lineup. That is, unless the Rangers decide to dress Fulton Reed Gratton and Dean Portman Orr in a move reminiscent of the Mighty Ducks’ Bash Brothers.
The Rangers also picked up G David LeNeveu, and D Christian Backman, a 27-year-old Swede. Both will probably be assigned to Hartford.
The Rangers gave up Marcel Hossa (best described as underwhelming) and Al Montoya (best described as superfluous). Both of these guys had some promise at some point, and hopefully they can recapture that promise in Phoenix.
Here’s a rundown of all the trade deadline deals from yesterday.
About the author: Marc is a Long Island native and a hockey goalie. He has been a Rangers fan for as long as he can remember, although, in the interest of full disclosure, there was a time during the 1993 playoffs when he vaguely remembers cheering for Pierre Turgeon and the Islanders after the Dale Hunter cheap shot. His favorite Ranger of all time is Mike Richter. 
Notice how Slats went out and made trades with people who used to be in the Rangers organization? JD in St. Louis and Don Maloney in Phoenix.