Despite Matt Cullen’s insistence he wanted to stay in NY, the Rangers reached a deal with Carolina to send the center back to the Hurricanes, with whom he won a Stanley Cup in 2006.

In the deal, the Rangers picked up defenseman Andrew Hutchinson, Joe Barnes and a third rounder in the 2008 draft. Moving Cullen alleviates the cap pressure created by his $2.875M (per year average) contract.

Sean Avery, who has experience playing center, may be tapped to be the third-line pivot in Cullen’s absence.