Rangers Trade Kronwall for Malik

Niklas Kronwall's stay in New York was a brief one. The speedy young defenceman played just 3 games, added one assist, threw one hit and had four shots on net before finding himself on a charter to Pittsburgh.

A stunned looking Kronwall was unflinching of his criticism of the Rangers organization. "This franchise is crazy," he said. "When they picked me up Burns called me in his office and sat me down and told me how I was the future of the franchise yada yada yada. Now I'm gone a week later. People are being poisoned...I'm sure the GM is on drugs, good riddance. I thought I was coming to a good team but no one in the dressing room talks to one another and I haven't seen the coach outside of game time yet. (expletive delted) them."

Marek Malik was reached by phone and was clearly less enthused than one might have expected from a player moving from a borderline playoff team to one that is comfortably in the playoff picture.

"Gee... New York. Sure I'm happy. I mean who wouldn't be. It's a great organization right. They've assembled a good team over there. Hmmm... it'll be fun. Aren't people being poisoned over there?"

When queried as to why he made the move so soon after picking up Kronwall GM David Burns pointed to Maliks physical presence.

"Malik hits hard and clears people out from in front of the net. Sure, he can't skate but he'll be a very valuable depth player. Kronwall...well he was fast but what else was he doing for us? We could have waited for 3 years for him to develop but we're in a position where we feel we have a shot at going deep in the playoffs and Malik will add toughness and make it even harder to score on our already league leading defence. Malik has some more experience and leadership and is known to be a quality individual. Quite frankly I wasn't impressed with Kronwall's work ethic or attitude. So in his own words: (expletive deleted) him.