The New York Rangers pulled off two huge moves for thier organization down the stretch brining in standout goaltender Niklas Backstrom and youngster defenseman Doug Murray.  Going to Atlanta was enimatic Ilya Bryzgalov, and prospects Sergei Kostitsyn, Jonathan Siglaet and NYR 4th 08.  In a seperate deal the Rangers brought in a pair of young defensemen in Tomas Pock and Alexandre Picard along with Goaltending prospect stud Al Montoya.  Sent to New Jersey was goaltending prospect Cory Schneider, prospects Peter Kalus, Patrick Davis, Valteri Filuppa, along with 4 prospects in 2008.

The Breakdown:
   The Rangers were desperately seeking a #1 goaltender they feel they now have that in Backstrom.  Bryzgalov was able to be moved for the upgrade of Backstrom.  Doug Murray is an nhl ready defenseman now and will be used as a top 6/7 defenseman next year.  Prospects Kostitsyn and Sigalet are still a few yrs away and the Rangers have an abundance of players like them that will mature within the next few yrs making them expendable.  In both deals the picks were expendable due to the entire team being so young and having an abundance of skilled prospects within the system.

   Gm DesMarais rational for the 2nd deal with New Jersey consisted of the organizations ranking of  Montoya much high than Schnieder along with Schnieder still being a few yrs away.  Montoya is ready for regular nhl duty as early as next season and will challenge for a #1 position.  The Rangers with these two deals had thier goaltending finally solidified as well as having had thier offense completely locked up a long time ago.  The last piece to the puzzle consisted of  rounding out thier defense with a skilled young offensive defenseman.  The team found this not only once but twice in acquiring Alexandre Picard and Tomas Pock.  Both are enjoying great years this season and are due for some solid rerates and will round out the top 4 defensive corps.  Prospects that were moved to NJ were Patrick Davis, Petr Kalus were expendable and a few yrs away from nhl duty. Fipuula was difficult to move because he's having a solid season in the pro's but with the over abundance of talented young centerman he also was easily moved.  More to come on the team soon.  The teams depth chart will be released to the public within the next day or so, so keep your eyes peeled.