New York Post-  Rangers Gm Joe DesMarais is extremely pleased with the clubs recent trades over the last couple of days. 

Coming in:
MIKE SMITH, MIKE ZIGOMANIS, RJ UMBERGER, NIKLAS KRONWALL, MATT COOKE, NIKLAS GROSSMAN, JASON JAFFRAY

Moving out:
ANDREW RAYCRFOT, JUSSI JOKINEN, DAVID BACKES, ZYBENEK MICHALEK, TODD WHITE, JONATHAN SIGLAET

First of all with shipping out enigmatic RFA Andrew Raycroft and his 1.5 million in favor of Mike Smith and his 3yr 950k salary along with his better numbers in the NHL was exactly what the club was looking for.

Next the Rangers brought in offensively producing Niklas Kronwall who is set for a nice rerate in favor of Zybenek Michalek who looked to have had a fluke season last year and has settled back to his old self this season was a major upgrade.

With the Rangers shipping out 31yr old Todd White who is having a good nhl season with 28pts in favor of a younger 28yr old slightly cheaper and long contract of Matt Cooke was a tough decision but a decent replacement.  What sold us was bringing in youngsters Niklas Grossman who is playing on the Stars 3rd D pairing along with Jason Jaffray who is playing on the 3rd line in Vancouver and is pencilled at 3rd line duty next year as well with the future departure of Brendan Morrison next season.  Also leaving the Rangers is prospect Jonathan Sigalet who was once looked to be a Scott Niedermeyer but has taken several steps back in his forward progress due to injuries.

Lastly the Rangers sent out enigmatic RFA Jussi Jokinen and David Backes to Ottawa.  Both players are young and could turn thier career's around but not likely with both players playing behind several other good youngsters.  Coming to New York are defensive minded Mike Zigomanis and RJ Umberger.  Both players are very versitile and locked in for 4yrs.  Umberger is set for a huge rerate after much offensive production this season and 1st line status.