Wed, Mar 4, 2009 at 2:55pm

BLUESHIRTS DEAL FOR ANTROPOV

The New York Rangers acquired forward Nik Antropov from the Toronto Maple Leafs for a second-round draft pick in 2009 and a conditional draft pick.

What does it give the New York Rangers
The Rangers are starving for offense, so adding the big body of Antropov makes sense. He has underachieved in the past but is enjoying a strong campaign. An unrestricted free agent this summer, Antropov could be a good long-term fit for the Blueshirts but he needs to produce instantly in order to get on the good side of the Rangers faithful.

What does it give the Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs needed more draft picks, so adding two for a potential unrestricted free agent is a great move for Toronto at this time. Antropov was inevitably going to move, and GM Brian Burke waited the situation out in order to get an extra pick out of the Rangers. Let the rebuilding process continue in Toronto.

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