NHL

Adam McQuaid Traded to the Rangers

by
Former Writers
September 12, 2018

NHL

Defenseman Traded to the Rangers for Steven Kampfer.

The New York Rangers continue to rebuild and restructure their team. The team has been making moves since the end of last season such as trading Rick Nash and Michael Grabner. However, this deal is much different from the previous ones. A lot of general manager Jeff Gorton’s moves involved the team going for a younger approach such as acquiring first round draft picks and names such as Vladislav Namestnikov and Ryan Spooner. With this trade, the Rangers acquire a 31 year-old defenseman. Adam McQuaid was traded from Boston in exchange for defenseman Steven Kampfer, a fourth round pick in the 2019 NHL draft and a conditional seventh round pick in that same draft.

Despite him not fitting the young mold, McQuaid brings grit and a veteran presence to the Blueshirts. In addition, he joins veteran defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk, expect this defensive core to pack a punch.

Adam McQuaid’s Career overview

Adam McQuaid was drafted 55th overall at the 2005 NHL draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets, a team he would never play for. He was traded to the Boston Bruins in 2007. However, he would not play his first NHL game until 2010, playing in 19 for the Boston Bruins that year. That same year, he would score his first career goal. In addition, he would also play in nine playoff games. However, he would not register a point in those playoff games.

With that, McQuaid earned himself a roster spot the following season. He would go on to play in 67 games that season, including 23 playoff games. That year, McQuaid would hit a career high in points with 15. In addition, he would earn hockey’s holy grail: the Stanley Cup. The next season, McQuaid would only appear in 32 games, notching only four points. Unfortunately, he would not return to the post season that year.

In the 2012-2013 season, he would play in only 32 games, notching only four points. However, McQuaid would get another taste at the post season that year. Unfortunately, he could not recreate bringing home the Stanley Cup. In addition, McQuaid would not play another playoff game until the 2016-2017 season.

In the 2013-2014 season, McQuaid would play even less games due to injury, only 30. He would notch six points that year, an improvement over the year prior. In the 2014-2015 season, McQuaid would play in 63 games, more than double from the year prior. However, he would only notch seven points. That’s only one point higher from the year prior. In the 2015-2016 season, he would play in 64 games, one more game. He would notch nine points that year. In the 2016-2017 season, McQuaid would play a career high 77 games and finally taste the post season again. He would play in only two post season games, picking up one assist. Last season, he would play in 38 games, notching four points. He would play in 12 post season games, notching two points.

McQuaid has never played a full season in his NHL career. But, he is part of a dying breed of NHL players known as enforcers. So this may be due to scratches from the lineup. In addition, he missed most of his time due to head injuries, a growing problem in hockey. Despite this, McQuaid should give off a veteran presence to the young and upcoming core of players for the Rangers.

Adam McQuaid’s contract

According to CapFriendly.com, Adam McQuaid carries a cap hit of $2.75 million. With this contract on the Ranger’s books, it leaves them with $3.5 million in total cap space.