According to a report from Shayna Goldman of The Athletic, the New York Rangers are trading 22 year old defenseman Nils Lundkvist to the Dallas Stars.
UPDATE: Rangers insider Larry Brooks of The New York Post has confirmed that the deal is Lundkvist for a top 10 protected 1st round pick.
Check it out:
NHL insider Frank Seravalli, a rock solid of a source as anyone, has also confirmed the deal.
Earlier this month Brooks reported that Lundkvist had formally requested a trade and that Rangers GM Chris Drury was busy working behind the scenes to facilitate a deal.
The Post has learned that general manager Chris Drury has been working with Lundkvist’s agent, Claude Lemieux, in order to effect a trade to an organization in which the Swede would have a better opportunity to challenge for a top-four spot and role as a power-play quarterback.
- Larry Brooks
The 22 year old Lundkvist had been essentially blocked in the Rangers' system but more established defensemen like Adam Fox, Jacob Trouba, K'Andre Miller, Braden Schneider and Ryan Lindgren. In the case of Miller, Schneider and Lindgren, Lundkvist has been an equal or better pedigree, but has failed to gain the trust of head coach Gerard Gallant.
Lundkvist put up just one goal and four points in 25 games with the Rangers last season, but three goals and 15 points in 34 games with the team's AHL affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack.
Personally, I feel like the Rangers come out the winners of this deal. While Lundkvist is an intriguing prospect, he is 22 years old and hasn't really even established himself at the AHL. There are serious reservations about his transition from the European style game on Olympic sized ice to the smaller ice surface of North America. While the Stars may be making a worthwhile bet on Lundkvist, it's a pricey bet with a first round pick on the line.
More to come on this developing story, including confirmation from both teams. Stay tuned.
