Martin St. Louis reportedly traded to Rangers for Ryan Callahan, picks
Martin St. Louis is tied for eighth in the NHL with 61 points. (Glenn James/Getty Images)
The New York Rangers acquired six-time All Star Martin St. Louis from the Lightning just hours before the NHL trade deadline on Wednesday in exchange for Ryan Callahan and two draft picks, according to multiple reports.
Tampa Bay will receive New York's second-round pick in 2014 and first-round selection in 2015, according to Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune. But if the Rangers make the Eastern Conference finals this season, the 2014 pick would be a first-round selection, according to ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun.
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Also, if Callahan, an unrestricted free agent after this season, re-signs with Tampa Bay, the Rangers will get Tampa Bay's second-round pick in 2015, with New York's seventh-round selection going to the Lightning, according to LeBrun.
St. Louis requested a trade from Tampa Bay after Steve Yzerman, the Lightning general manager who also served as GM of Team Canada, initially left him off the Olympic roster. The 38-year-old was later added as an injury replacement for Tampa Bay teammate Steven Stamkos.
St. Louis had reportedly told Yzerman that New York was his preferred destination, according to ESPN. In two seasons with the Flames and 13 with the Lightning, St. Louis has 973 points (369 goals, 604 assists), including a league-leading 60 points in 48 games last season. He won the Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay in 2004.
Callahan, 28, couldn't reach a deal with the Rangers despite extensive negotiations in recent weeks. He has 11 goals and 14 assists this season with a -3 rating.
The Rangers (36-26-3, 69 points) are tied for third place in the Metropolitan Division, while Tampa Bay (34-23-5, 73 points) is in third place in the Atlantic Division.
