^ ^ ^ ^ ^

Smith is basically the same as Klein, but younger and Klein can score a few more goals. With Shatty, question is can we afford to pay him $6-6.5 a year after this? Do we pay someone that amount until they are 34?

Smith is a lefty klein is a righty (reason for the swap to make room for clendening who has looked fantastic so far in the preseason and offers more in terms of pp ability and youth. And with skjei leaving we would need a new LHD so thats the reason behind that. And per the Shatty question no doubt. We would have roughly 17 mil in cap space next year (if the cap stayed the same and didnt increase.) thats ample room to resign everyone with raises. Also if its really an issue the buyout/trade of girardi with retained salary option exists. So I wouldn't be worried about it.

Screwing yourself over with that expansion draft next summer. You'd have 4 d protected, so only 4 forwards...

But neither of those trades help the Rangers. Skjei is pretty much untouchable with Staal and porcelain McDonagh. Klein isn't leaving unless it's a big upgrade in a package.