NY Rangers Acquire Eminger from Ducks for Voros, Hillier

The New York Rangers have announced that they have acquired defenseman Steve Eminger from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for left wings Aaron Voros and Ryan Hillier. In 63 games last season with the Ducks, Eminger had four goals and 12 assists for 16 points. Voros appeared in 41 games with the Rangers last season, scoring three goals and four assists for seven points and 89 penalty minutes. Hillier appeared in four games with Hartford of the AHL, scoring no points. He also played in 22 games with Wheeling and Charlotte of the ECHL, scoring two goals and five assists for seven points. This is really just a depth move for both teams. Eminger will bring some size and offensive skill to the Rangers' blueline, while Voros will bring lots of grit and toughness to the Ducks' forward lines. Hillier give the Ducks a young forward with some offensive potential, so he could earn a roster spot with the team down the road.

Panthers Acquire Eminger from Lightning for Welch

The Florida Panthers added some defensive depth to their lineup on Wednesday by acquiring defenseman Steve Eminger from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for defenseman Noah Welch and a third round draft pick. This is the second time Eminger has been traded this season, as he was acquired by the Lightning early in the season along with Steve Downie for Matt Carle. In 62 games so far this season, Eminger has four goals and 21 assists for 25 points. Welch has been a healthy scratch for much of the season, appearing in 23 games, scoring one goal and one assists for two points. This is a great trade for Florida, as Eminger has plenty of offensive skill and veteran experience on the blueline. Acquiring Welch is a bit of a question mark for the Lightning, as he doesn't have much upside. The Lightning have traded off nearly every asset of the Dan Boyle trade and are left with Ty Wishart, who has some promise, and Welch. In the end, the Lightning pretty much gave Boyle away when they should have had more patience with the players they brought in.

Flyers Acquire Carle from Lightning for Eminger and Downie

The Philadelphia Flyers further bolstered their injury ravaged defense by acquiring defenseman Matt Carle from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for defenseman Steve Eminger and right wing Steve Downie. The Flyers also acquired San Jose's 3rd round pick in the 2009 Entry Draft from the Lightning and sent Tampa Bay's own 4th round pick in the 2009 Entry Draft back to the Lightning. The Flyers had originally acquired the 4th round pick when they traded Vaclav Prospal to the Lightning over the summer. In 12 game played with the Lightning this season, Carle has one goal and one assist. Eminger had two assists in 12 games with the Flyers, while Downie had no points in six games with the Flyers. Carle gives the Flyers more depth on their injury ravaged blueline, as well as plenty of offense and puck-moving skill. Eminger gives the Lightning some decent defensive depth, while Downie gives the team lots of toughness. The Lightning had been rumored looking to cut some salary and did just that by trading Carle, who is making approximately $3 million this season. It's somewhat puzzling that the Lightning gave up on Carle so quickly, as he was the main component of the Dan Boyle trade a few months back. Perhaps the Lightning were growing dissatisfied over Carle's slow start to the season or maybe they just wanted to cut his salary from their payroll. While Carle's stats have dropped a bit since his 42 points in his rookie season, he still has the potential to develop into a solid puck-moving and offensive defenseman. If he can develop into such a defenseman, the Flyers will have another talented, young defenseman on their rebuilding blueline to compliment Braydon Coburn, Ryan Parent, Luca Sbisa, and minor-leaguer Kevin Marshall.