The twofold explanation from Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton was pretty self-evident once he made the trade to send Vladislav Namestnikov to the Senators in exchange for minor-league defenseman Nick Ebert and a fourth-round pick on Monday night.
The move was made not only to clear the $4 million salary-cap hit carried by Namestnikov this season — minus the $750,000 retained by the Blueshirts — but also to make room for the influx of young forwards who populate the system.
“I think it’s a combo of everything,” Gorton said after Tuesday’s practice in Tarrytown, as the week-long layoff in their strange early-season schedule continued before they resume action on Saturday afternoon against the Oilers at the Garden.