The Rangers have made their second big trade of this year’s deadline, sending center Kevin Hayes to Winnipeg. The return is a 2019 1st round pick, 22 year old winger Brendan Lemieux, and a conditional pick. Lemieux was Buffalo’s 2nd round pick (31st overall) in 2014, had a strong 2017-2018 in the AHL, but hasn’t made that full NHL transition just yet, with a line of 9-2-11 in 44 games. He’s just 22 years old though, and the skill level is there.
Hayes, signed by the Rangers as a free agent after he didn’t sign with Chicago, has spent 4+ seasons with the Rangers, putting up 87-129-216 in 387 games played.