New York Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton met with the media after pulling off a massive trade Sunday, acquiring Eric Staal from the Carolina Hurricanes for two draft picks and a prospect.
Gorton's most important messages: The Rangers may not be done adding ahead of Monday's trade deadline, and defenseman Keith Yandle - and his expiring contract - will not be traded.
"We're looking at a player we think can be energized by this trade," Gorton said about Staal. "We see the numbers. We scouted him a lot. (I) think this really helps our top nine, center, wing, (and) power play. I think it's a pretty exciting time for our team. I think they'll be energized."
Eric Staal will be at Rangers morning skate tomorrow
— Steve Zipay (@stevezipay) February 28, 2016
Gorton wouldn't talk about Staal's future, and whether he may be a Ranger next season and beyond.
"He's a Ranger for today and we'll see what happens," he said. "We felt like he was one of the - if not the - best available players on the market. To have Marc (Staal) here had to have helped, (Eric) would've known what it's like to play in New York."
Eric Staal will wear 1️⃣2️⃣ with #NYR
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 28, 2016
It's the second straight season the Rangers have made a splash around the trade deadline. Last year it was made by acquiring Yandle, and Gorton was explicit about the defender's future.
"We're not trading him."
Gorton added that the Rangers could still add to their roster - if necessary, and if the price is right.
"We have enough (cap) room to add a small salary player if we wanted to," he said.
Make no mistake: The Rangers are all-in.
- With H/T to Steve Zipay, Pat Leonard, and Andrew Gross.
