NY Rangers Acquire Wolski from Coyotes for Rozsival

The New York Rangers announced today that they have acquired left wing Wojtek Wolski from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for defenseman Michal Rozsival. The move comes just a day after the Rangers learned they will be without the services of left wing Alexander Frolov, who has a knee injury, for the rest of the season. The move will also free up $1.2 million in salary cap space for New York. Both players still have one year remaining on their contracts and will be free agents in 2012. In 36 games so far this season, Wolski has six goals and 10 assists for 16 points, while Rozsival has three goals and 12 assists for 15 points in 32 games. He is currently day-to-day with bruised ribs. Not a bad move for the Rangers, as Wolski will add some much needed offensive depth to the team with forwards Vaclav Prospal, Alexander Frolov, Erik Christiansen, and Ryan Callahan all currently injured. Despite struggling this season in Phoenix after scoring roughly a point per game last season after his trade to the Coyotes, Wolski will bring plenty of puck-handling and goal scoring skill to the Rangers' lineup. Plus, freeing up some salary cap space will leave them with a little more flexibility to perhaps make another trade by the trade deadline if necessary. As for the Coyotes, Rozsival brings some offensive skill and mobility to the blueline, as well as a veteran presence. In the end though, the Rangers seem to be the winners of this trade, as they have acquired a young forward who still has plenty of promise, despite being somewhat inconsistent, and dealt away a veteran defenseman who was taking up a bit of salary cap space.