Powe is 27 and can help the Rangers’ penalty killing unit. They’ve given up eight power play goals in 37 attempts to rank a disappointing 19th. Powe possesses speed and plays physical. He blocked three more shots (91) than Ryan Callahan (88) last year. He also gets in on the fore check and throws around the body. Something John Tortorella’s looking for.

He joins his third team (Flyers, Wild) tomorrow when the Rangers visit the Devils for the first time since Adam Henrique ended their season last Spring. Don’t expect too much offense. Powe has never scored more than nine goals. In eight games with Minnesota this season, he’s without a point. They were using him primarily on the fourth line. If he can supply energy to our otherwise vanilla roster, then it’s a steal for Glen Sather.

Rupp was in the second year of a three-year, $3.5 million contract Sather signed him to last year. Outside of burning the Flyers for two goals in the team’s exciting win at the Winter Classic, he never really established himself. He played hurt last year and was a good locker room presence who Tortorella leaned on. However, our coach refused to play him. He was used sparingly in eight games and now goes to a team who needs toughness. Even though Rupp lost the majority of his fights, he was a good teammate. Best of luck to him in Minnesota where he’ll be reunited with Zach Parise.

Also part of the deal is former Devil forward Palmieri. He joins his third roster in less than a year. He was selected by the Devils in the third round of the ’07 Draft. Palmieri spent parts of two seasons in New Jersey, getting into 78 games before Lou Lamoriello included him in the Marek Zidlicky trade. He posted 13 goals and 12 assists for 25 points all with the Devils. Palmieri was without a point in nine contests for the Wild last year. In 40 games with Houston, he has 21 points (10-11-21). The Rangers assigned him to Connecticut.

On paper, it looks like a good deal. Slats got two younger forwards for Rupp, who Tortorella barely used. Powe’s contract expires next year. His cap hit ($1.067 million) is more friendly than Rupp’s ($1.5 M) saving cap space. Palmieri is more of a project who’s a restricted free agent next year. He has size (6-3, 220) which our roster can use. Who knows if he’ll ever land in Broadway.