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New York Rangers: Grading Jeff Gorton’s trades

By Steve Paulus

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 15: Referee Brad Watson shakes hands with Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers after working his final game at Madison Square Garden following the game against the Carolina Hurricanes on January 15, 2019 in New York City. The New York Rangers won 6-2. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 15: Referee Brad Watson shakes hands with Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers after working his final game at Madison Square Garden following the game against the Carolina Hurricanes on January 15, 2019 in New York City. The New York Rangers won 6-2. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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BOSTON – JANUARY 19: Boston Bruins’ Jake DeBrusk gets checked into the boards in the second period by the Rangers’ Adam McQuaid. The Boston Bruins host the New York Rangers in a regular season NHL hockey game at TD Garden in Boston on Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
BOSTON – JANUARY 19: Boston Bruins’ Jake DeBrusk gets checked into the boards in the second period by the Rangers’ Adam McQuaid. The Boston Bruins host the New York Rangers in a regular season NHL hockey game at TD Garden in Boston on Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

Grade B

September 11, 2018 – Adam McQuaid from Boston for Steven Kampfer, 2019 4th round pick and Conditional 7th round pick
Trade Day Grade C:  Trending UP

When this deal was announced there was a fair amount of moaning and groaning among Ranger fans.  Considered old and slow, why would the Blueshirts want McQuaid and surrender two draft picks and another similar defenseman for him?   I think we know the answer.  He’s been a valuable contributor who is driving up his trade deadline value every day.  Kampfer has gotten into 25 games for the Bruins this season.  As for the draft picks, losing the fourth rounder hurts and no one knows what the conditions are on the 7th rounder. The final grade on this deal depends on the return the Rangers get at the deadline.

June 25, 2016 – Nick Holden from Colorado for 2017 4th round pick
Trade Day Grade C:  Trending UP

Nick Holden makes his second appearance in this post.  He was a relative unknown when acquired from the Avalanche.  As a Ranger he was never a fan favorite, but filled in on defense and contributed offensively.  He was traded to Boston at the deadline in 2018.  The pick acquired by Colorado hasn’t panned out.

November 8, 2016 – Steven Kampfer and conditional 2018 7th round pick to Florida for Dylan McIlrath
Trade Day Grade C:  Trending UP

This was another “exorcism” deal as Gorton dispatched McIlrath, the disastrous 10th overall pick in the 2010 draft for a journeyman defenseman in Kampfer. Kampfer got into 32 games with the Rangers and was traded over the summer to Boston in the deal for Adam McQuaid.  As McQuaid is deadline trade bait, the final results of this deal remain to be seen.

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