Once the Washington Capitals traded for Kevin Shattenkirk, the Blues defenseman who was at the top of the Rangers’ list late Monday, Blueshirts general manager Jeff Gorton moved to Plan B.
The Rangers acquired Brendan Smith from the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday morning for two draft picks: a third-rounder this June and a second-rounder in 2018.
The Rangers had two second-rounders next June, having acquired one in the trade with Ottawa that exchanged Derrick Brassard for Mika Zibanejad. They will send Ottawa’s pick to Detroit and keep their own second-rounder.
The Red Wings are in Vancouver, so Smith will not be available for Tuesday night’s game against the Capitals.