With most of the hoopla around big acquisition Eric Staal, the Rangers weren’t done a day before the trade deadline. They sent Ryan Bourque to the Capitals in exchange for Chris Brown.

Originally taken in the third round in 2009, Bourque never got a opportunity to play for the big club. The undersized forward who helped Team USA win at the Under 20 World Junior Championship spent the past five seasons in Hartford. A solid checking forward who can kill penalties, he only got one game for the Rangers last season. That was it.

Bourque now goes to the Caps’ minor league affiliate in Hershey. It would be nice if he got a chance. But it’s unlikely to happen in Washington. Brown is the same age as Bourque. Both are 25. Ironically, both spent their teenage years playing for the U-18 US National Development Team in the NAHL. A career path many American players have taken.

Brown has gotten into 23 NHL games with the Coyotes and Caps totaling two goals, an assist and 21 penalty minutes. He was a second round pick in the same ’09 Draft that saw Bourque go in the third round. It had to be due to his size. He’s listed at 6-2, 215. Conversely, Bourque is 5-9, 178. Big difference.

With the deadline concluding later today with full coverage on NHL Network courtesy TSN, more moves will follow. I won’t be around to cover it. But will try to have something tonight.