Rangers Acquire Zherdev in Four-Player Swap

The Rangers sent Fedor Tyutin and Christian Backman to Columbus in exchange for Nikolai Zherdev and Dan Fritsche.

The Rangers get: an enigma with huge upside. If they can get this guy going, and he seemed to get going last season, Zherdev will be a star. Fritsche brings a third line presense with a scoring touch, but his offensive skills will never fully develop because of his proneness to injury.

The Blue Jackets get: a Band-Aid Boy No. 5 rearguard in Christian Backman, plus an up-and-coming future PP quarterback in Tyutin.

Fantasy Players Impacted: This definitely opens up a spot on the right side in Columbus for Jakub Voracek. Does it also open things up for Nikita Filatov? Yes, it says there that a spot is his to lose and if he loses it, the Jackets will go out and address the need for a year. Look for Kris Russell to perhaps go to the AHL for a year and get some much needed development.

Suddenly, the Rangers are in the market for defensemen - could Bobby Sanguinetti get a long look? He could use a year in the AHL, but if the Rangers don't address this need he'll be rushed.  Zherdev has a better supporting cast around him and could very well flourish. The potential - and coaching system - is there for him to flirt with 80 points this year. It's up to him to go for it.