Nils Lundkvist traded to Dallas

As per his request earlier this summer Nils Lundkvist has been traded to the Dallas Stars. For quite a hefty price as well.

Earlier this summer Nils was looking at the roster and realized he didn't necessarily have a spot on the team with the log jam on the defensive side of the roster. And so he and his agent requested a trade threatening to no-show camp if he didn’t get moved.

Clearly, management did not want to have this weighing down on the team as we head into the season and worked hard to get a deal done.

Strangely just a few months ago it was reported the Rangers' best deal seen was a couple of second-round picks. Which would’ve been ok value. Although the team still saw Nils Lundkvist as a premium prospect.

Apparently so did the Dallas Stars. The Stars gave up a conditional first-round pick as well as a conditional fourth-round pick.

If Dallas’ pick is among the top 10, the selection then slides without protection to 2024. The Rangers will also get either the Stars’ third- or fourth-rounder in 2025 depending on Lundkvist’s production.

So, Nils is gone and with a team who has cup aspirations getting a possible top-half first-round pick has a lot of value when it comes to the trade deadline.

I personally do not believe the Stars will be very great this year. I see them maybe just missing out on the playoffs in a very cluttered wildcard situation in the Western Conference.

In review, the Rangers basically robbed the Stars for a first-rounder that will be a huge trade piece for future deadlines. The Stars get their hopeful replacement for John Klingberg. Who left in free agency this offseason.

The Rangers get high-prospect value on a piece that they were desperate to get rid of. They had no leverage and yet somehow managed to get a first-round pick for Lundkvist. Maybe the Stars thought it was Henrik Lundqvist.

Regardless, this is a great move by Drury and proves the Rangers are looking at a Stanley Cup run instead of another step closer.

Finally, the offseason narrative is done. Now we can finally look towards training camp. Less than a month until we get NHL regular season hockey. I can’t wait.