Rangers trade Brassard to Senators for Zibanejad

The New York Rangers traded forward Derick Brassard and a seventh-round pick in 2018 to the Ottawa Senators on Monday in exchange for forward Mika Zibanejad and a second-round pick in 2018, the Rangers announced.

Brassard, 28, is coming off a career year that saw him eclipse the 20-goal plateau for the first time, leading all Rangers players in that category. His 58 points fell just two shy of matching his career best from 2014-15 and were three behind Mats Zuccarello for the team lead this season.

Zibanejad, meanwhile, has played at least 80 games in two straight seasons. The 23-year-old is also coming off a career campaign that saw him post highs in both goals and points, with 21 and 51 respectively.

The trade frees up $2.375 million in cap space for the Rangers with Zibanejad signed on for one more season at $2.625 million. Brassard has three years remaining on his deal, which carries an annual average value of $5 million.

The Rangers have been trying to shake up their forward group, reports James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail.