Written by Pierre LeBrun at ESPN.com
The New York Rangers filled a need by acquiring defenseman Brendan Smith from the Detroit Red Wings on the eve of the NHL’s trade deadline.
In return, the Wings will get a second-round pick in 2018 and a third-round selection in 2017. The second-rounder came from Ottawa with Mika Zibanejad in a trade last summer.
In making the playoffs for 25 straight seasons, the Red Wings have traditionally been a buyer at the deadline, but they are currently tied for last in the Eastern Conference.
Also on Tuesday, Red Wings general manager Ken Holland dealt Steve Ott to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2018.
“It’s obviously tough, but it’s part of the business,” Ott said. “That Red Wing jersey meant a lot to me, and it meant a lot to my family to be able to play in front of friends and family every single night as a Red Wing.
“I’m heading to a good team with another great heritage, so it’s very exciting now to know that I have a chance in the playoffs.”
Veteran forwards Thomas Vanek and Drew Miller, along with their expiring deals, could be the next to go, as Detroit looks to get better in the long term.
“With where we are in the standings, I’m looking at the people we can trade and I’m trying to get more picks,” Holland said. “The more picks you have, the better your odds are.”
The Smith trade gives the Red Wings 10 picks in the draft this year, including three selections in the third round and two in the sixth.
The Rangers needed defensive help, announcing on Tuesday that Dan Girardi will miss 10 to 14 days with a right ankle injury that he suffered on Feb. 7. He then missed a few games but had been playing through the injury. Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said Girardi has an open wound that is not healing.
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