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Rangers send Lundkvist to Stars

*Photo from Blueshirt Banter*
   Another New York Rangers prospect wanted out of town, and he got his wish. The Dallas Stars have acquired D Nils Lundkvist from the Rangers in exchange for a conditional 2023 first round pick and a conditional 2025 4th round pick, according to both teams.

   Here are the conditions concerning both draft picks. If the Stars first round pick is in the top 10, the Rangers will get Dallas's 2024 first round pick instead. If Lundkvist racks up at least 55 points over the next two seasons, the 4th round pick will become a 2025 3rd round choice.

   Stars GM Jim Nill said of getting Lundkvist that "Nils is a skilled, right-handed shot defenseman that adjusted to the North American game this past season and has a high ceiling. We felt that adding a creative player like Nils to our defensive group was necessary, and he has a tremendous opportunity to establish himself as an everyday, impact defenseman at the NHL level."

   Lundkvist is under contract for two more seasons on his entry level deal, signed prior to the 2021-2022 season. He has a $1.775 million AAV for the next two seasons, with a $92,500 signing bonus and $850,000 in performance bonuses. He'll be an RFA when his deal expires after the 2023-2024 season.

   Last season was Lundkvist's first taste of NHL action with the Rangers. He recorded one goal and 3 assists, averaging 13:56 of ice time per game while posting a +4 plus/minus rating in 25 regular season games for the Rangers in his rookie campaign.

   Lundkvist said of joining Dallas that "It feels like it's a good opportunity and I'm really looking forward to it. I'm really looking forward to coming to camp and it feels very good to be a member of the Dallas Stars. It feels like they really believe in me. Now it's up to me to perform and do a good job at camp. Hopefully they will have me on the team. Feels like a great opportunity and it's up to me to perform."

   The trade request from Lundkvist came last week, and reportedly stemmed from his being demoted to AHL Hartford in January. Adam Fox, Jacob Trouba, and Braden Schneider were ahead of Lundkvist on the Rangers depth chart, and he now gets a fresh start.

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