Five Questions with Ray Shero

1. Let's start of by saying congratulations on brokering the first ever deal between the New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers. How did it all come together and how long had you had been looking at [Michael] Grabner?

The last couple of weeks the Rangers made it apparent that they, with a letter to season ticket holders, were going in a different direction than they usually do. Having said that, when you're making a list for [trade deadline], depending on what your needs may be, a guy like Grabner was going to be on our list.
This really only came together [Thursday], I'd say mid-day to night. It was pretty quick. I think [New York Rangers GM] Jeff [Gorton] knew what the market was for a player like Grabner, and what he wanted to get in return. It was more than just a couple of draft picks. He wanted something tangible in terms of a second-round pick, and tangible in terms of a prospect that they liked. We like Yegor Rykov, but we have other players in our system that we feel strongly about. From their stand point, it's a good trade for what they're trying to do and for us where we are, it's a good move. Certainly, there is some risk attached to it but there is risk in this game, like in most things you do.
2. One of the things that struck me about the deal is that you don't have to disrupt your locker room and get to keep everyone on your current roster while adding someone of Grabner's caliber to it. Was that important?
Hockey players are so accommodating and very accepting. Where I think we had a hole in our lineup is with [Marcus] Johnasson being out. We know we're going to get Brian Gibbons back at some point in the next couple of weeks, and that will fill a need. If we get Marcus back at some point it will be an added benefit.
Now, if you're looking at the deadline and you're trying to make a push, you're adding most of the time, so that was important. You want the depth to create that internal competition. On Monday you can increase your roster size, and the depth that you have is going to be important because there's a lot of games to be played in a short amount of time. I think we accomplished that and we'll see where it takes us.
3. Coach John Hynes talked Friday morning about how Grabner fits in on the ice, as well as the character of the man being important. That speaks to what you have been building over the last couple of years, with that key word "identity." He must fit in to that.
It's hard to find the perfect fit, no doubt. Our team is not so much about the system, it's more about the identity of the way we play. We talked about that [leading into the] deadline, the names that we had on our list or talked to teams about. It wasn't about a particular game or a big name, it was really about the style and identity to fit in. I think in terms of the way we want to play, 5-on-5 production was important in acquiring Grabner. The speed is important, all the things that we looked at was bringing us to Michael Grabner. When we he was available [Thursday] afternoon, we got working on it and that was a the guy we targeted. We talked to other teams, but once we were on to Grabner we wanted to complete it, which we did.
4. How pleased are you that your team has put you in a position in the standings where you can make these types of deals at this time of year?
I think that's the position you want to be in. I'm more pleased this year than I was last year, let's put it that way. It's a credit to the players and the coaches, but it's about not so much what we've done yesterday and before, it's about moving forward and the meaningful games in March that we hope for. We talked about it as a team, but they're the ones that have gone out and done it.
It's the best time of the year to be in that mix. Feeling the highs of the wins and lows of the losses. Last year you don't feel much and it's not so fun. Even though the losses now are frustrating, well you know what? That's the passion of the game. That's the best part about being involved in hockey. That's the passion of the sport. For our younger players to experience that, for our older players to experience this and certainly our fans, it's certainly what you sign up for.
5. Between Vatanen and Grabner, do you feel like you're done dealing?
I'm not looking to reinvent the wheel here, I do like our team. But you're in touch [with other GM's] in case something happens to our team by Monday, 3 p.m. Or someone is available that I wasn't sure of, something that makes sense, a hockey trade. You're in touch with teams because it might not be today that you make a deal, it might be at the draft. The seeds are being planted so it's always a great time to chat with every GM in the league and do your due diligence and gather information. We'll see what happens Monday at 3.