A day after suffering a bad loss to the Islanders, the Rangers made a move sending defenseman Mike Del Zotto to Nashville for Kevin Klein. The timing was a bit surprising considering they had played better. However, it was no secret that Del Zotto was on the block. A scratch a few games earlier this year, he’d played better since returning to the lineup. A point Alain Vigneault emphasized following the deal.

Of course, any time a first round pick is traded it’s sad. Especially one with Del Zotto’s talent. Selected by the club 20th overall in the ’08 Draft, Del Zotto lasted five years on Broadway. He finishes with 26 goals and 95 assists for 121 points in 292 games. Among the highlights was a good rookie year in ’09-10 when he tallied 37 points (9-28-37) as a 19-year old and made the All-Rookie Team. After struggling during a second season in which he split time in New York and Connecticut, Del Zotto put together his best year in ’11-12. He set career bests in goals (10), assists (31), points and plus/minus (20) helping the club win a division, the East’s top seed and advance to the Conference Finals. That included a couple of big goals including the series clincher in a hard fought seven-game second round series against the Caps.

Despite postseason success in which he registered two goals and eight assists, Del Zotto has been inconsistent since. During last year’s shortened season, he totaled three goals and 18 assists. He was only able to add a goal and helper in 12 postseason games last Spring. Despite that, there was still optimism with Vigneault replacing John Tortorella behind the bench. The organization was hoping that would result in increased production. Instead, he struggled in Vigneault’s system and became a scapegoat. While more established teammates struggled just as much during a mediocre first half, he found himself a healthy scratch nine times. In the overall landscape, it didn’t make much sense. Especially when the trade rumors started. It only hurt his value.

I guess it’s fitting that all Glen Sather could muster was a solid but unspectacular physical defenseman in Klein. Interestingly enough, he’s 29 and is signed through 2017-18 with an annual cap hit of $2.9 million. While he won’t blow you away in any area, Klein’s a right defenseman who knows how to play his position. He also is a good teammate willing to drop the gloves if needed.

“Ever since we lost (Michael) Sauer we’ve been short right-handed shots,” Sather told Jim Cerny of Blueshirts United. “Right-handed shooting defensemen in the National Hockey League are hard to find. If you look around the league there aren’t many teams that have three or four right-handed shooters. That was one of the goals we were trying to solve by making this kind of a deal.”

By acquiring Klein, it allows Vigneault to balance out the D lines. Both Del Zotto and John Moore are the same age and played the same position. The left side. With Del Zotto earning $2.5 million and set to become restricted this summer, they decided now was the time to move him. Even if it meant not receiving equal value. They have no one to blame but themselves. Especially Vigneault, who didn’t do Sather any favors. At the very least, it allows Moore to shift back to his more familiar side and allows Klein to slide in on the right.

With the Rangers taking on more salary over the long haul, what exactly does it mean for Dan Girardi and Anton Stralman? Both right defensemen are up this July and can leave. Obviously, Girardi will cost more. He currently earns $3.4 million and will likely command nearly double if he hits the market. Given the price with Stralman a cheaper alternative, he could be the odd man out. But if they lose him, what are they going to do? Don’t forget Marc Staal is up in 2015.

Complicating matters, Ryan Callahan also turns unrestricted this summer. He makes $4.875 million and will also command over six million. With Brian Boyle and Derick Brassard also potential UFA’s, it’s anyone’s guess what the roster will look like this Fall. They can amnesty Brad Richards, who ironically leads them in scoring. With Chris Kreider and Mats Zuccarello also key Group II’s along with John Moore, figure that to happen. Even with the salary cap increasing, it’s hard to be optimistic about the team’s future. Expect more changes.