Rangers Acquire Eriksson from Coyotes for Wiikman

The New Rangers announced on Wednesday that they have acquired veteran defenseman Anders Eriksson from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for goaltender Miika Wiikman and a seventh round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft. Eriksson, who signed as a free agent with the Coyotes on December 21, has three assists in 12 games this season and was assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL. In 564 career NHL games with the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Florida Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Columbus Blue Jackets, Calgary Flames, and Phoenix Coyotes, he has 22 goals and 152 assists for 174 points. Wiikman has yet to play a game in the NHL. This is really just a depth move for the two teams. Eriksson will provide the Rangers with plenty of veteran depth on the blueline if he is recalled from the minors. Wiikman has the potential to become at least a backup goaltender in the NHL, so he is not a bad pick-up for the Coyotes.