Dynamic Duo Dealt 2011-02-26 In what has to be a head scratcher, the New York Rangers have traded both Joe Thornton and Marian Gaborik to division rivals the Pittsburgh Penguins. In return the Rangers receive a package of players/prospects/picks that will help the Rangers this season as well as seasons beyond tis one. "While it's always hard to deal your top scorers, we have tons of confidence in the group of guys that we have in the lockerroom that will keep us not only competitive, but keep us a contender. We believe that lines 1 thru 4 there's not a team that we cannot match up well against. We have solid size, scoring and defensive ability that will allow us to play against any team in the league. We also felt that getting Kulikov was so important for this franchise as we believe him to be a future #1 defenceman in the MRFHL, he's a young man and wil fill out his frame nicely. We expect him to play at or around 210 and be a force at both ends of the ice for years to come." Rumors have it that the Rangers were not interested in bringing Joe Thornton back after this season which was the driving force behind the transaction. The idea of paying him the kind of money he was going to be looking for was not sitting right with more than a few higher ups in the Rangers Org. It is believed that they are now set to contact the representatives for Martin Havlat to potentially work out some form of extension with the winger. Time will tell if this is a deal that will come back to haunt the Rangers.
