Wed Jul 2 18:59:59 2008

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Rangers acquire forward Zherdev

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New York, NY (Sports Network) - The New York Rangers acquired forwards Nikolai Zherdev and Dan Fritsche from the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday in exchange for defensemen Fedor Tyutin and Christian Backman.

The 23-year-old Zherdev scored 26 goals and 61 points, leading the Blue Jackets in assists while finishing second in goals, points, and shots. The 6-foot-2 Russian has recorded 76 goals and 181 points in 283 career games for Columbus, who drafted him in the first round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

Fritsche, 22, tallied 10 goals and 22 points in 69 games for Columbus and has 29 goals and 63 points in 206 career games. He was originally the Blue Jackets' second round choice in the 2003 draft.

Tyutin appeared in all 82 games for the Rangers last season, collecting 15 assists and 20 points to go with 43 penalty minutes. The 24-year-old Russian was New York's second round choice in 2001 and has 66 career points in 250 games for the Rangers.

Backman, 28, split the season between St. Louis and New York, registering 18 points in 63 games. The Swede was the Blues' first round choice in 1998 and has 72 points and 150 penalty minutes in 246 career games.