Michael Grabner is on the move, but he won’t have to go far.
The New York Rangers — who are entering a well-publicized roster overhaul as Monday’s trade deadline approaches — reportedly have traded Grabner, their top goal-scorer, to the New Jersey Devils, according to TSN Insider Darren Dreger.
The Rangers scratched Grabner and Rick Nash, their other major piece of trade bait, for Thursday’s 3-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. The 30-year-old winger is slashing 25-6-31 this season in 59 games.
Moving Grabner to a division opponent certainly makes things interesting in the Metropolitan Division. Not only does it underscore New York’s plan to pack it in the rest of the season, but it indicates the Devils presumably are looking to do more than just get a wild card spot. They sit five points from safety, but just four points from the third seed in the division.
The Devils have the 12th-most goals for this season, and adding Grabner certainly will help compliment their defense, which has conceded the 10th-most goals in the NHL.
New York traded defenseman Nick Holden to the Boston Bruins on Tuesday, and moving Grabner likely won’t be their last move, so stay tuned.
