Now this is truly the end of an era.
In his latest move, Rangers GM Jeff Gorton sends away their captain and top-pair mainstay in Ryan McDonagh, traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning before Monday's deadline, according to multiple reports.
This mega-deal sends McDonagh and J.T. Miller in exchange for Vladislav Namestnikov, Brett Howden, Libor Hajek, a 2018 first-round pick and a conditional second rounder, according to TSN.
McDonagh, acquired on June 30, 2009 from Montreal in one of the best trades in Rangers history with Scott Gomez going the other way, was the captain for the last four seasons after previous captain Ryan Callahan was dealt to Tampa Bay.
The 28-year-old played 516 regular-season games and 96 playoff matches since making his NHL debut on Jan. 7, 2011. He shined brightest during a dominant 2013-14 campaign, helping lead the Blueshirts to a Stanley Cup Final appearance.
McDonagh is gone a day after Rick Nash was dealt, and it follows what was the beginning of the Rangers' rebuilding process last summer with Derek Stepan being traded and Dan Girardi bought out.
