Nils Lundkvist dealt to Stars for two picks, including a 2023 1st rounder

GM Chris Drury, with his back seemingly against the wall, received a better than expected return in dealing Nils Lundkvist to the Stars. The deal was first reported by Shayna Goldman while Larry Brooks noted the protection on the first rounder, which is to-10 protected. If that occurs, then the pick rolls to 2024 and is unprotected. The second pick is a conditional 2025 fourth rounder, terms of which are: New York will receive a third-round pick in 2025 instead of Dallas’ fourth-round selection if Lundkvist has 55 points over the next two seasons.

Claude Lemeiux, Lundkvist’s agent, started seeking a trade early this year for his client and made it relatively clear that Lundkvist would not be reporting when training camp opens this week. The Rangers and Drury made it clear that they would consider accommodating that request but only if the return made such a deal worthwhile. Because the Rangers would have held his rights for several more seasons if they wanted to, even after his ELC would have expired after next year, Drury could have very easily sat back and waited, even if it meant an asset remaining overseas.

Dallas needed a blueliner with John Klingberg signing in Anaheim. Miro Heiskanen is set as the first pair right-handed defenseman opposite Ryan Suter. Esa Lindell is the second pair left-handed d-man with Colin Miller originally slated to line up opposite him. With Lundkvist now there, he gets the chance to see second-pair minutes, both at even strength on the power play.

Drury, despite seemingly being in a position where his hands were tied, at least in the view of some, extracted a better than expected return. The pick quite likely will be higher than the selection used to take Lundkvist, which was the 28th pick in 2018. Having potentially two picks in what will be a very deep draft is a major win for the Rangers and Drury, who gets major thumbs up for the trade.

New York loses a depth option on the right-side, one who struggled last season in his first exposure to North American play but one who I still feel has a ton of upside. He was just squeezed here with Jacob Trouba, Adam Fox and Braden Schneider ahead of him on the right side. With Lundkvist now in Big D, a depth hole exists on the right side. Ty Emberson, who came from Arizona, and Hunter Skinner could be the first options there, though Drury still could look to add a d-man on PTO.

All in all, an excellent deal for Drury and The Rangers and a deal that could work out nicely also for the Stars.