Eric Staal Rangers landed in splash term

Perhaps this is the first official year as general manager Jeff Gorton Rangers, but still the same perennial win-now mentality.

Although Gorton was barely sold the farm for an annual race in a Stanley Cup, he made the biggest impact of the season trading deadline by acquiring forward Eric Staal of hurricanes on Sunday in exchange for second-round picks in 2016 and 2017 along with Finnish Aleksi Saarela prospect.

Staal, 31 and the elder brother of Rangers defender Marc Staal, waived his no-trade clause to join forces on Broadway. Hurricanes also ate the maximum of 50 percent of salary prorated $ 8.25 million Staal, allowing Blueshirts to squeeze under the cap.

Staal will be an unrestricted free agent after this season, but Gorton said he was not granted permission to start trading before the trade. Although Gorton said he thinks Staal "is still a young player, in our mind has a few years ahead", this is being seen as a rent that is expected to yield the first championship in the franchise since 1994.

"We're acquiring to do our best team today and see where it takes us," Gorton said in a conference call. "So from now on, we hope that works very well for both and we'll talk then. For now, he's a Ranger today and we'll see what happens."

Staal is configured to suit the Blueshirts when they host John Tortorella and the Blue Jackets on Monday night in the garden. With the trade deadline arrived at 3 pm, which will make an interesting day.

On the one hand, Gorton said he would not rule out adding another "small player salary, if we wanted," he said.

But this is the big piece, with Staal after having won a Stanley Cup with hurricanes in 2006 to go with Olympic and World Championship experience. In 43 career playoff games, he has 19 goals - far from group forward current Rangers' lack of production and postseason.

At 6 feet 4 inches, 205 pounds, Staal brings the ability of a fivefold scorer 30 goals in the regular season, which was downswing this year while playing with his other brother in the NHL, Jordan, and woebegone hurricanes . With only 10 goals and 33 points in 63 games, Eric is on the way of his worst statistical season since his rookie year of 2003-04.

But this is the big piece, with Staal after having won a Stanley Cup with hurricanes in 2006 to go with Olympic and World Championship experience. At 6 feet 4 inches, 205 pounds, Staal also brings the ability of a fivefold scorer 30 goals, which was losing streak this season while playing with his other brother, Jordan, and woebegone hurricanes. With only 10 goals and 33 points in 63 games, Eric is on the way of his worst statistical season since his rookie year of 2003-04.

"We are thinking of a player who we think could be triggered by this trade," Gorton said. "We see the numbers, we explored much, I think we know the player as well as anyone. We thought that we put on our team, surrounded by some of the pieces we have, we will get a lot of him, and he will to be full of energy to come to New York and play for the Rangers. "

There is no doubt that a large part of Staal waive his no-trade clause was to come and play with his brother in a family atmosphere. The clause also created a limited market, and allowed Gorton to acquire the top forward out there without giving up a first-round pick - as general manager of the Carolina Ron Francis was allegedly looking for.

Instead, the Rangers Saarela, a center of 19 years who had a third round in 2015 and played in his native Finland surrendered. Staying with the Rangers are all young forward currently listed, with Chris Kreider, Oscar Lindberg and others who have been possible pieces of interest.

And now there are two Staals in New York, the new form of the Rangers go all-in on another career Stanley Cup.

"We felt like he was one of the best - if not the best - player available in the market to give us what we are looking at our top nine," Gorton said. "That's why we made the move. I think it will help, you probably know a lot of players on our team, because Marc. At the end of the day, we did not feel like he bringing because of what Marc is doing.

"It's all about Eric."

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