Rangers add trio thanks to trades
Posted Jan 7, 2018 05:05:33 PM.
Last Updated Jan 8, 2018 05:33:00 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
So much for Sunday being a day of rest.
Kitchener Rangers general manager Mike McKenzie was a busy man to end the weekend.
Following losses on Friday to Mississauga and Saturday to Owen Sound, the GM pulled the trigger on two deals ahead of the OHL’s trade deadline Wednesday.
McKenzie went back to a familiar trading partner in the Windsor Spitfires to acquire Ottawa Senators second-rounder Logan Brown, and overage defenceman Austin McEneny.
“Both guys provide us with something we desperately need,” said McKenzie. “Logan is a number-one centre in this league, so that really solidifies that. Austin is really underrated. He’s really smart, moves the puck well, a good skater, but a little underrated by a lot of people.”
Brown was a member of Team USA at the World Junior Hockey Championship but was forced to go to Ottawa after the tournament, to get an injured knee looked at by the Senators. McKenzie expects Brown to be in the Rangers lineup in about a week. He last played on Thursday.
“We did a lot of digging into what the injury was,” stated McKenzie, adding surgery was never on the table. “It’s more of a strengthing and pain tolerance thing. We talked a lot with doctors and we did a lot of research. Even though he’s a little nicked up right now, we still felt confident with all the info we gathered.”
In return, Windsor gets Kitchener’s first-rounder in 2017 – Grayson Ladd, two second-round picks, a third-round pick, and a fifth-round pick.
“That’s one of the hardest things I’ve had to do,” said McKenzie about trading Ladd. “On the ice, I think he’s going to be one of the best defencemen in the league in a couple years. He’s a guy I’ll always root for, no matter what team he’s on, because he’s a fantastic kid; really good character. It’s heartbreaking to lose a kid like that.”
The trade gives the Rangers four overage players – McEneny, Anthony Dumont-Bouchard, Jake Henderson, and Kole Sherwood. They’re only allowed to carry three, so something will need to be done by Tuesday at noon.
“We do have a plan in mind. If I told you, I’d have to kill you,” laughed McKenzie.
Rangers made a deal with who?
It was the last place Givani Smith to end up, but he’s heading to East Avenue.
For just the second time in 30 years, the Rangers have agreed to a trade with the Guelph Storm – the first was for the rights to Robby Fabbri.
“It’s just one of those things,” laughed McKenzie. “The timing was right for both teams and it made sense, regardless of the rivalry and proximity.”
In return, Guelph gets two second-round picks – 2021 (from MISS) and 2024 (from WSR) – and a conditional pick in 2025 (from WSR).
Smith vocalized early this week he hadn’t asked for a trade, but at the same time, wanted to compete for a Championship. The move only solidifies McKenzie and Co. are in it to make some noise this year.
“It happened over the last 24-48 hours,” McKenzie told 570 News. “We’re looking at players to add to our team; older guys that could help us this year.”
Smith, a Detroit Red Wings second-rounder, is a tough player to play against and isn’t shy about getting in the face of the opposition.
“The first thing you notice about him is how big and strong on the puck he is and how he gets to the net,” pointed out McKenzie.
“He also has pretty good hands around the net; he can score in tight. He’s a guy that’s been a really good player for a while in this league now.”
Kitchener is on the road on Thursday in London to face the Knights.
The OHL overage trade deadline is Tuesday, while the deadline to move other players is on Wednesday afternoon.
“The big stuff is done,” said McKenzie. “We’ll look to maybe bring in one more player at some point. Not sure who or what that will look like. We’re also still listening on some of our guys.”
BREAKDOWN
IN:
Austin McEneny (1997, Defenceman)
Givani Smith (1998, Forward)
Logan Brown (1998, Forward)
OUT:
Grayson Ladd (2001, Defenceman)
2nd round pick (SAG) in 2018
2nd round pick (KGN) in 2019
2nd round pick (MIS) in 2021
2nd round pick (WSR) in 2024
3rd round pick (SAG) in 2018
5th round pick (KIT) in 2019
*Conditional 2nd round pick (KIT) in 2025
