Let's give Steve Spott some credit.
As GM, he hasn't made too many whoppers on the trade front. I think the early 2009 deal of Josh Unice, Ben Shutron and Scott Timmins to Windsor for Brandon Maxwell et al was his biggest deal until yesterday.
He's tossing around strong words too, saying he'd like to build a team as if the club were hosting the Memorial Cup.
Does he win yesterday's swap of Zach Lorentz and two second rounders for Matt Puempel? I'd say so. The Rangers get the best player in the deal. Puempel has one more year left in the OHL. Lorentz could have two if he plays an OA year.
Lorentz should improve on last year's stats -- 19 goals -- but there has to be concern about his second half swoon (one goal in final 19 games) and lack of playoff scoring (two goals in 16 post-season games).
Puempel lands on the Rangers' top line. Right now, the top six includes - Puempel, Radek Faksa, Tobias Rieder, Ben Thomson, Matia Marcantuoni and Andrew Crescenzi. If Cres makes the AHL, the team would need to target a front line centre to really put them over the top.
I've heard whispers that Josh Sterk may be in for a promotion, but it seems a bit premature from this seat. The kid has skills but may need another year of seasoning.
Anyway, read how the team sees the trade and import draft here.
