Rangers send rights to D Keith Yandle to Panthers

NEW YORK, N.Y. - The New York Rangers have traded the rights to veteran defenceman Keith Yandle to Florida for the Panthers' sixth-round pick in Friday's NHL draft.

The Rangers said Monday they would also receive a fourth-round pick in the 2017 draft if Yandle signs with the Panthers. The 29-year-old Yandle's contract expires on July 1. He made $5.25 million this season.

New York acquired Yandle in March 2015 from Arizona along with another defenceman, Chris Summers, and a fourth-round selection. They gave up top prospect Anthony Duclair and a conditional first-round draft pick. Yandle had 58 points (seven goals, 51 assists) in 103 games with the Rangers over parts of two seasons.

Yandle spent nearly nine seasons with the Coyotes before the trade to New York.