For the second time in the last five NHL trade deadlines, the New York Rangers traded their captain to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The teams announced a blockbuster which sent defenseman Ryan McDonagh and forward J.T. Miller to the Lightning right before Monday’s deadline. In 2014, the Blueshirts sent then-captain Ryan Callahan to Tampa Bay as part of a package for Martin St. Louis.

It cost the Lightning Vladislav Namestnikov, Libor Hajek, Brett Howden, a first-round pick in the 2018 NHL Draft and a conditional first-rounder in 2019.

The Rick Nash long tenure in the Big Apple has come to an end. The Boston Bruins have acquired the veteran forward from the New York Rangers in exchange for a package that includes forwards and and a 2018 first round draft pick.

TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie reported the Rangers will retain 50 per cent of Nash’s remaining salary this season. He is making $7.8 million in the final year of an eight-year, $62.4 million and will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. The 33-year-old Nash has 18 goals and 10 assists in 60 games for the Rangers this season. A three-time 40-goal scorer, Nash has 434 goals and 365 assists in 1,049 career NHL games split between the Rangers and Columbus Blue Jackets. In 39 games for the Bruins this season, Spooner has nine goals and 16 assists. Beleskey has split this season between the Bruins and their AHL affiliate Providence Bruins. He’s been help point-less in 14 contests with the Bruins and has four goals and two assists in 21 games in Providence. Spooner is making $2.825 million this season before becoming a restricted free agent. Beleskey still has two years at $3.8 million per season left on his deal after this season. Lindgren is a 2016 second round draft pick currently in his second season at the University of Minnesota. 

The New York Rangers have traded veteran forward Michael Grabner to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a second-round draft pick and defensive prospect Igor Rykov.

General Manager fired off his first trade in the great 2018 Ranger dump. The Rangers acquired defenseman Rob O’Gara and a 2018 third round draft pick for the often maligned Nick Holden. Gorton originally used a fourth round pick to acquire Holden, so a upgrade in draft picks was accomplished during his term in New York. 

The deal is a good start, and Gorton will continue working his reported numerous other trades. Stay tuned.