New York Rangers: Five decisions that are coming back to haunt them

#2: Moving talented players and getting next to nothing in return

The trend that we could potentially see continue with the Derek Stepan trade is nothing new for the Rangers. There have been multiple cases in the last few seasons where the Rangers gave up valuable pieces and have seen little return.

Carl Hagelin, Cam Talbot, and Keith Yandle are all names that come to mind.

The Rangers traded Hagelin and two picks (#59 and #179 of the 2015 draft) to the Anaheim Ducks for Emerson Etem and the number #49 pick (also from the 2015 draft). Etem did nothing for the Rangers, they traded him just a season later and Hagelin went on to win two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins after being dealt at the 2016 trade deadline.

The Rangers traded Cam Talbot to the Edmonton Oilers in the same offseason as Hagelin (they also gave them a seventh-round pick). In return, the Rangers received for just three picks.

Yes, Talbot is a backup. However, his numbers say that he easily could have brought in a bigger return.

Keith Yandle was sent to the Florida Panthers for a sixth-round pick in the 2016 NHL Draft and a 2017 conditional fourth-round pick after just one full season on the Rangers roster. Two picks in return for a player who led the team with 42 assists and had 47 points (fourth highest on the roster).

The Rangers also gave up a promising young prospect in Anthony Duclair to get Yandle to New York. Essentially, the Rangers gave up Yandle, Duclair and two picks for a season and a half of a bottom pair defenseman, along with a handful of young players who may or may not make the roster.