Ryan Sproul, who was never able to find a place on the Detroit Red Wings blueline, was traded Saturday to the New York Rangers in exchange for Matt Puempel.
The move, according to general manager Ken Holland, alleviated the abundance of defensemen in Grand Rapids and we gave youngsters such as Filip Hronek and Vili Saarijarvi (who's in Toledo in the ECHL) a chance to play.
"We need to have the kids play," he said.
As for Puempel, Holland called him, "A depth guy.
"He's played in the NHL ... we will see how he plays.