Rangers up ante in Metropolitan Division with trade acquisitions
The Stanley Cup playoffs are six weeks away.
Emerging from the Metropolitan Division bracket already was a difficult proposition. The moves made at the NHL trade deadline make it even more daunting, and the Penguins already are thinking about the postseason.
“It's hard not to notice what's going on around the league,” left wing David Perron said. “We know those teams are really good, and we know they got better.”
The New York Rangers made waves Sunday when they acquired defenseman Keith Yandle from the Arizona Coyotes. Yandle is one of the NHL's most gifted offensive defenseman. His defensive work is somewhat questionable, but the Rangers will be able to hide him against the opposition's best players because of their defensive depth.
“I'm not a manager, and I won't pretend to be one,” Perron said. “But I know this: Yandle is a really, really good player. They're a good team.”
Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury took notice.
“Wow,” Fleury said of the acquisition of Yandle. “That's good power play.”
The Rangers also acquired depth at forward with James Sheppard.
Washington and the New York Islanders also made significant moves.
The Capitals added veteran defenseman Tim Gleason and forward Curtis Glencross.
“Glencross was a good move for them,” Perron said. “He's a really tough guy to play against.”
The Islanders added goaltender Michal Neuvirth, who will play behind starter Jaroslav Halak, and former Penguins right wing Tyler Kennedy, who has a history of success in the postseason.
“Just to see how their (other teams in the division) depth has changed, what they're giving up and what they're getting,” Penguins coach Mike Johnston said. “Everyone is watching. Over the next couple of days, we'll take a look at the rosters, especially the ones in the East that will impact us. It changes your approach to the game plan against those teams.”
The Penguins, Islanders, Rangers and Capitals are on pace to exceed 100 points and reach the postseason comfortably.
All four teams aggressively attempted to improve before the trade deadline.
“It's just a heck of a division that we're in right now,” Perron said. “It seems like all the divisions have three or four really good teams, though. We just happen to be in one of them. Luckily we've made some deals. Lots of good teams.”
Josh Yohe is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at jyohe@tribweb.com or via Twitter @JoshYohe_Trib.
