Rangers Add Veteran Defenseman Bryan McCabe

With two days remaining before the trade deadline hits in the NHL, the New York Rangers acquired a veteran, offensively-talented defenseman that they have longed for during most of the season. The Rangers were able to add Bryan McCabe from the Florida Panthers in exchange for Tim Kennedy and a third round pick in June's NHL Entry Draft.

"Bryan McCabe adds an established veteran presence to our young defensive corps," general manager Glen Sather said in a statement released by the Rangers. "He can help provide offense with his strong shot on the power play, and his versatility allows him to play either the left or right side effectively. Bryan also brings outstanding leadership qualities, having served as team captain for Florida for the past two seasons."

The 35-year old, 14-year veteran now joins his sixth NHL team after being drafted in the second round (40th overall) of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Islanders. Since then, he has made stops in Vancouver, Chicago, Toronto and most recently Florida. The Panthers brought McCabe aboard back in 2008 in a February deal with the Maple Leafs for defenseman Mike Van Ryn and last year's fourth round draft choice.

With a plethora of injuries and having remained under the salary cap all season, the Rangers stashed enough financial flexibility to be active around this time of year. Much of the discussion surrounding New York has been centered on acquiring Brad Richards from the Dallas Stars. But with Richards health in question, a no-movement clause in effect, Dallas not officially announcing that he is available and general manager Joe Nieuwendyk reportedly asking for a package consisting of Brandon Dubinsky, Derek Stepan and Marc Staal, it's unlikely Sather will pull the trigger on him before 3 p.m. Monday afternoon.

McCabe, however, fills an even greater need for the Rangers and comes at a much cheaper price. The Rangers haven't had great success finding a power play quarterback for essentially the past few years. Many have tried to man the helm and all have failed to solidify themselves along the blue line. From free agents (Wade Redden) to draftees (Michael Del Zotto, Bobby Sanguinetti), New York has been unable to come up with that one defenseman who can run a power play consistently and effectively while adding to his scoresheet.

There is no guarantee McCabe will be any different. He has only netted five goals and 22 total points in 48 games with Florida this season - just seven of those points coming on the power player. But Florida as a whole has been second to last in the league on the man advantage at 13.7 percent.

McCabe still offers a terrific shot from the point and plenty of evidence from prior to this season that proves he can help the Rangers fix their own 21st-ranked power play. He has scored eight or more power play goals in a season five times, including a career-high 13 for the Toronto Maple Leafs back in 2005-06. Overall, he has scored 15 or more goals of any variety in a season five times as well, also putting up his career-high of 19 with the Leafs in 2005-06.

Perhaps his production has dipped. Or maybe its just the Panthers, in general. But McCabe is as good a bet right now for New York and they made a wise gamble.

To get McCabe, the Rangers really gave up very little. Kennedy was signed during the offseason by the Rangers when the Buffalo Sabres refused to cough up his $1 million arbitration award. But the 24-year old failed to win a roster spot and has spent the entire campaign with the Connecticut Whale of the AHL. In 53 games there, he has 42 points. He is a pending restricted free agent once again this summer.

Michael Del Zotto was assigned to the AHL in order to open up a roster spot for McCabe. McCabe is scheduled to go unrestricted this summer, unless New York elects to retain him and is able to work out an extension prior to July 1.