2015 NHL Draft: Rangers Trade Carl Hagelin to Anaheim For Emerson Etem

After a quiet day during the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft, the New York Rangers made quite some noise at the start of round two. According to Bob McKenzie, the New York Rangers sent Carl Hagelin along with the 59th and 179th pick to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Emerson Etem and the 41st pick, which was used to select Ryan Gropp.

At first glance, this trade appears to be mainly about cap space, as Carl Hagelin was expected to receive a hefty pay raise this upcoming summer. On the other hand, Etem is an impending restricted free agent with no arbitration rights, and can be qualified for approximately $850,000. With Hagelin expected to be asking in the range of $3.5-$4 million on his next contract, the Rangers just saved quite a bit of money by dealing him off.

That being said, the Rangers have quite a bit of work left ahead of them, and they don't appear to be done just yet.

Thoughts on this?