Sharks Trade Sheppard To Rangers For Draft Pick

SAN JOSE, Calif. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The New York Rangers made more moves Sunday night ahead of the NHL's trade deadline Monday, acquiring forward James Sheppard from the San Jose Sharks for a fourth-round draft pick in 2016.

Sheppard had five goals and 11 assists in 57 games with San Jose this season. He played mostly as a third-line center for the Sharks but has played wing in the past.

With Sheppard eligible to be an unrestricted free agent this summer, general manager Doug Wilson wanted to get whatever compensation he could before Monday's trade deadline.

"Shep played well for us, but this is an opportunity to acquire more assets and get Tomas Hertl back to playing the center position,'' Wilson said.

Hertl has struggled in his second season while playing mostly wing but is expected to be a building block for the franchise as a center.

Sheppard's departure is part of a process that began in earnest after San Jose blew a 3-0 series lead to Los Angeles in the first round of the playoffs last spring.

The Rangers also acquired All-Star defenseman Keith Yandle and defenseman Chris Summers in a trade with the Arizona Coyotes on Sunday.

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