Former first round draft pick, Dylan McIlrath has been traded to the Florida Panthers in exchange for 28 year old defenseman Steven Kampfer and a conditional 2018 7th round draft pick. The Rangers will receive the pick if McIlrath appears in 30 or more games this season with Florida.
McIlrath had recently cleared waivers and had been reassigned to Hartford after appearing in just one game with the Rangers this year. The 24 year old defenseman needed to play another 41 games this year to avoid becoming a Group V unrestricted free agent, a prospect that was unlikely with the Rangers and their new speed-centric philosophy.
In Steven Kampfer the Rangers are re-united with a depth defenseman they signed back in July of 2014. Kampfer never did play for the Blueshirts, as he was traded to the Panthers prior to the season, along with former prospect Andrew Yogan in exchange for another former Ranger draft pick, Joey Crabb.
The move was intended to free up a roster spot for Anthony Duclair to remain with the Rangers, and Duclair did indeed stay with the team, though was later included in a trade package for defenseman Keith Yande.
Kampfer has one year remaining on his contract at $612,500, but will be sent to Hartford after recently clearing waivers for the Panthers.
CBJ