The Nashville Predators acquired a defenceman with offensive upside, in exchange for a veteran with a long-term contract. Chipper Jones Jersey . Numbers Game examines the deal that sees Michael Del Zotto and Kevin Klein switch places. The Predators Get: D Michael Del Zotto. Del Zotto, 23, has been a decent, if not altogether consistent, puck-moving defenceman through 292 NHL games, but he never seemed to connect with new Rangers coach Alain Vigneault and was playing a career-low 17:45 per game this season, after logging a career-high 23:10 for the Rangers last season. The ideal for Del Zotto is to play in an offensive role, working the power play, where he has tallied 48 of his 121 career points (39.7%) and that contribution helps offset otherwise mediocre numbers at even strength. During his five-year career, Del Zotto is a little above average in terms of offensive production (ranking 56th in points per 60 minutes, among 161 defencemen to play a minimum of 3000 5-on-5 minutes). His possession numbers are less inspiring, ranking 102nd out of that same group of 161, while starting a healthy percentage of his shifts in the offensive zone. Playing on the Rangers third pairing this year also means that Del Zotto has faced a lower level of competition than he has in previous seasons and its not as though hes excelled against that weaker competition, so theres a decent chance that Del Zotto is going to need protection in Nashville. While Del Zotto might be a useful addition as a lefthanded shot, on a blueline that was leaning right, hell need to play better if hes going to fill a top-four role on a nightly basis. He is only 23, so there is the possibility that he will improv but, with Roman Josi and Mattias Ekholm the left shooting defencemen in the top four for Nashville lately, Del Zotto figures to be competing with Ekholm for second-pair playing time. When it comes to the power play, Del Zotto could get a look ahead of Ryan Ellis on the second pairing. At a cap hit of $2.55-million, Del Zotto will be a restricted free agent at seasons end, which makes the rest of this season an audition, a chance for Del Zotto to rehabilitate his value after a tough start to the year, and if he doesnt, then the Predators will likely have a more affordable (albeit less appealing) option on the blueline. Ultimately, Del Zottos offensive upside, in addition to increased salary flexibility, makes the deal worthwhile for the Predators. The Rangers Get: D Kevin Klein. Klein is a 29-year-old right-shooting defenceman who will never be confused for an offensive dynamo. Hes talled 82 points in 403 career games, including three points in 47 games this season, but it doesnt mean he doesnt have some skill when presented with a scoring opportunity. Nevertheless, while Klein has played top four minutes on the Nashville blueline over the past five seasons, hes taken some lumps in that role. His possession stats, like most in Nashville, arent good (ranking 146th out of the aforementioned group of 161), but that does come with the caveat of starting the majority of his shifts in the defensive zone and, generally, facing a decent level of competition. In New York, Klein will take over Del Zottos spot on the third pairing, which will allow John Moore to move back to his natural left side and the easier level of competition in that role ought to help Klein. There is some congruity in the righty-lefty shooting part of this deal. Klein is under contract for four more season, at a cap hit of $2.9-million per season, a tad pricey for the third pairing, but thats likely where he fits. Klein offers some insurance if the Rangers lose Dan Girardi as an unrestricted free agent in the summer but, based on his career to this point, its not as though Klein ought to be tasked with taking on the oppositions best forwards. He can play some of those hard minutes, but chances are its asking too much. The price tag on Klein is dubious because of the term remaining on his contract. If this hasnt been a great season for him, how much better will it be when hes 32 or 33-years-old? Given that questionable value, it doesnt speak too well about the perceived value of Del Zotto around the league. Having a legitimate NHL defenceman, who has handled top-four minutes, under contract might offer some safety to the Blueshirts and thats essentially what this deal is. Taking a defensive defenceman, under contract, in exchange for an offensive defenceman that is headed for restricted free agency. Barring improvement, both could end up on the third pairings for their new teams. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. William Contreras Jersey . -- Steven Stamkos scored his first goal since returning from a major injury, Ryan Callahan had his first goal with Tampa Bay, and the Lightning beat the Florida Panthers 5-4 on Thursday night. Dansby Swanson Jersey .C. United have acquired midfielder Alex Caskey from the Seattle Sounders for a third-round pick in the 2016 MLS draft. http://www.custombravesjersey.com/custom-mark-wohlers-jersey-large-487z.html .com) - The Vancouver Canucks will try to win two straight games for the first time since mid-January on Monday night as they play host to the struggling New York Islanders.ABBOTSFORD, B.C. - Sometimes all it takes is a couple of lucky bounces. Austin Fyten can attest to that. The Oklahoma City forward picked up his first career two-goal game Sunday afternoon as the Barons came back to beat the Abbotsford Heat 5-4 in a shootout in American Hockey League action. Fyten hadnt scored in 14 games but the 23-year-old tied the game twice with redirections in the comeback win. "Ive been playing a lot and pretty well but things werent going my way, as far as bounces and stuff," said Fyten. "Tonight is one of those nights. I didnt even shoot it in — both goals went off my body. "If you play the right way good things will happen. I was pleased to get those — huge win for the boys." The two goals Sunday were just the fifth and sixth of the year for the Sundre, Alta. native. "Hes been great for us lately," said Oklahoma Citys Roman Horak. "Hes not afraid to go to the front of the net and do the dirty work and it pays off. He got two goals and that was a huge help from him tonight." Anton Lander scored the shootout winner, beating goalie Doug Carr low to the stick side before Barons goaltender Richard Bachman stopped Max Reinhart to clinch the win. The Barons never led in the game and needed Curtis Hamilton to tie it with just over two minutes to play in the third. "It was tough," said Fyten. "We were behind the eight ball all night. We stayed with the game plan and battled back. We got a couple greasy goals, and then Hammy stepped up with a big goal. "We wanted it and just kept pushing and pushing. We deserved that one." Former heat forward Horak also scored for Oklahoma City (34-28-11), which maintained the final Western Conference playoff berth, with Charlotte and Rockford now both two points back. "Its definitely one of those things where you watch whos winning and not winning," said Fyten. "Both the teams helped us out tonight with a couple losses. But its going to come down to the bitter end. We need to keep winning games and finish strong." Bachman, who has started 27 of the Barons last 30 games, made 33 saves. "Hes been keeping us in games," said Horak of Bachman. "Especially if we make the playoffs, were going to be betting on him a lot." Added Fyten: "We gave up too many shots tonight, too many PKs and stuff. But hes our most valuable player for sure. Hes been unreal for us and hopefully he can keep with it and help us down the stretch." In the other crease, Carrr was making his first AHL appearance, stopping 22 shots for Abbotsford (40-25-. Kyle Wright Jersey. . "He made some huge saves," said Heat head coach Troy Ward, who gave team MVP Joni Ortio the day off. "I thought the last one there he wants back, the tying goal. But hes adjusting to a higher level, the release is quicker . . . but I thought he did a nice job for us today." Brett Kulak recorded his first career AHL goal, while Ben Street, Brett Olson and Reinhart also scored for the Heat, who have clinched a playoff spot but ended their chances of catching Chicago for fourth place. Lander tested Carr early, stealing the puck in the slot, but the Heat netminder made a nifty glove save to keep the game scoreless. Olson opened the scoring at 10:45 on the power play. Derek Smiths point shot ricocheted off Sven Baertschis skate right to Olson at the side of the net and he quickly backhanded it past Bachman for his 17th of the year. Fyten tied the game at 5:56 of the second period, redirecting Brad Hunts point shot. But Kulak put the Heat back in the lead a little more than two minutes later. Ben Hanowski, playing his first game since being reassigned by Calgary, made a great play, drawing Bachman to the left right post before setting up Kulaks one-timer from the hash marks. "I didnt know (Hanowski) saw me back there, but he threw a really nice pass — I guess thats why hes been in the NHL for the past month," said Kulak. "He made it really easy for me to just tap it in there. Obviously I cant enjoy it as much as I would have if we won the game, but its still a special feeling." Streets team-leading 28th of the season doubled the lead at 14:31. Smith blocked a clearing attempt at the blue-line and quickly put a shot on net, where Street deflected it past the left pad of Bachman. Horak drew the Barons back within one with a power-play goal at 17:21. First he drew a tripping penalty when he was hauled down by Smith on a partial breakaway. Then he scored his 22nd of the year, finishing off a give-and-go with Steve Pinizzotto to beat Carr glove side. Fyten tied the game again when Oscar Klefboms rebound bounced off Fyten at the side of the net at 6:10 of the third. However, Fyten took a slashing penalty a minute later and the Heat made him pay. Reinhart tapped in a feed from Street at 8:27 for his 20th of the year. Oklahoma City once again evened the game with just over two minutes to go. Hamilton took a pass from Will Acton in the slot and wired a wrist shot past Carrs glove. ' ' '