The New York Rangers made a huge trade at the deadline, dealing captain Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The New York Rangers told their fans to be prepared for changes as this season was a failure. Monday afternoon, the organization did what it set out to do as Ryan Mcdonagh and J.T. Miller were traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in a five-player, two draft pick deal. This is a rebuilding trade at the highest level.
Trade Details as per @TSNBobMcKenzie:
To #GoBolts
D Ryan McDonagh
F JT MillerTo #NYR
F Vlad Namestmikov
F Brett Howden
D Libor Hajek
2018 1st Round Pick
Cond 2nd Round Pick— ?SiriusXM NHL Network? (@SiriusXMNHL) February 26, 2018
McDonagh has only ever played for the Rangers, appearing in 516 games for the Blueshirts. He has registered 51 goals with 187 assists for 238 points. He was included in the trade that shipped Scott Gomez and Tom Pyatt to Montreal in 2009.
Miller has been with the Rangers since the 2013 season when he was only 19 years old. He has appeared in 341 games, recording 72 goals with 100 assists. Miller was the Rangers first-round pick, 15th overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
The Rangers wanted to rebuild, and as Rick Carpiniello of the Athletic said: “Holy smokes it’s a rebuild.”
The Rangers needed a rebuild. Well, this is now absolutely a rebuild. Holy smokes is it a rebuild. #NYR
— Rick Carpiniello (@RickCarpiniello) February 26, 2018
McDonagh has been out of the lineup for the last two weeks with what is considered to be an upper-body injury. His name has been mentioned in many trade rumors, but nothing substantial had been mentioned as the day went by on Monday. As 3:00 p.m. ET approached, rumors of the deal started to come out. The shocker of the deal was that Miller was included.
At the time of the trade, Miller was on a charter flight to Canada as the Rangers are preparing for a three-game trip beginning Wednesday night. Many believed that the Rangers were done dealing once the team boarded the flight.
NYR President Glen Sather traveled with the team on the charter, in order to tell JT Miller he was traded. That way he wouldn't have to be told by team personnel when they landed in Vancouver.
— John Shannon (@JSportsnet) February 26, 2018
Obviously, they were wrong as Miller will have to turn back around and head to Tampa Bay, who play their next two games at home.
We wish McDonagh and Miller the best of luck. Say hi to Dan Girardi for us.
