Copp traded to Rangers by Jets for three draft picks

Andrew Copp was traded to the New York Rangers by the Winnipeg Jets on Monday for three NHL Draft picks and forward Morgan Barron.

Winnipeg received two conditional second-round picks in the 2022 NHL Draft or 2023 NHL Draft and a fifth-round pick in 2023.

New York also received a sixth-round pick in the 2023 draft.

Copp signed a one-year, $3.64 million contract with the Jets on Aug. 12, 2021, to avoid a salary arbitration hearing and can become an unrestricted free agent after the season. The 27-year-old forward scored 35 points (13 goals, 22 assists) in 56 games.

The Rangers also acquired defenseman Justin Braun in a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday for a third-round pick in the 2023 draft, and forward Tyler Motte in a trade with the Vancouver Canucks for a fourth-round pick in the 2023 draft.

Each made his Rangers debut at the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday. The Rangers (40-18-5) were second in the Metropolitan Division, three points behind the Carolina Hurricanes.

"It was real positive yesterday," New York coach Gerard Gallant said. "If nothing happened yesterday, I think our team would have been disappointed. When you add some character people and give yourself a chance to win, considering the season we have had, I think our management staff did a great job yesterday. They added some strong pieces for us."

Copp played left wing on the Rangers' third line with center Filip Chytil and right wing Dryden Hunt, and Motte was on the fourth line with center Barclay Goodrow and right wing Ryan Reaves. Braun was projected on the third defense pair to the right of Patrik Nemeth.

"We're going to put guys in different spots," Gallant said. "We know what they've done with other teams and what they feel comfortable doing. It's not like we don't know the players at all. They're veteran guys so they've got good experience in the league and that's going to help us. As a coach I'm going to try to dress the best 20 every night. That's my job."

RELATED: 2021-22 NHL Trade Tracker

Selected by Winnipeg in the fourth round (No. 104) of the 2013 NHL Draft, Copp has scored 184 points (74 goals, 110 assists) in 467 regular-season games and 12 points (three goals, nine assists) in 34 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

"I think getting into a game right away is probably the best way to get to know the guys a little bit," Copp said. "Trying to wear off the new as quickly as possible and just try to get into the flow of things, get into a rhythm."

General manager Chris Drury said Copp's versatility makes him a key piece for the Rangers.

"You see how [Gallant] uses [Goodrow] and uses other guys who can play and do different things, play different positions," Drury said Monday. "'Turk' can figure that out. I'm just excited to be able to give him that piece."

Drury was asked if New York will try to re-sign Copp.

"He's so fresh to being here that we'll be watching and evaluating just like we do everybody else," Drury said. "But he's certainly an exciting piece to have in a Rangers uniform."

Barron had one assist in 13 NHL games this season and can become a restricted free agent after the season. The 23-year-old has scored two points (one goal, one assist) in 18 games since he was selected by New York in the sixth round (No. 174) of the 2017 NHL Draft.

Braun scored 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) in 61 games this season and is in the final season of a two-year, $3.6 million contract ($1.8 million average annual value) he signed with the Flyers on Oct. 5, 2020.

"I didn't know where I would end up, but you hear 'New York Rangers,' and coming here, the big city and playing meaningful games again is exciting," Braun said. "I can't wait for it."

The 35-year-old can become an unrestricted free agent after the season. He has scored 195 points (33 goals, 162 assists) in 783 regular-season games with the Flyers and San Jose Sharks, and 15 points (three goals, 12 assists) in 100 playoff games.

"We've got a good group, a mix of veterans and some younger guys," Drury said, "and excited to have him on the right side for us."

Motte scored 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 49 games this season. The 27-year-old is in the final season of a two-year, $2.45 million contract ($1.225 million average annual value) he signed with the Canucks on Oct. 9, 2020 and is a pending unrestricted free agent. He has scored 62 points (35 goals, 27 assists) in 260 regular-season games with the Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets and Canucks, and five points (four goals, one assist) in 17 playoff games.

"I've found a role on the [penalty kill], so I'll see if I get that same opportunity here," Motte said. "Just try and play good hard minutes, get in on the forecheck, use my speed and try to make my linemates' nights easier. You get excited for the opportunity, excited to play meaningful games here down the stretch and make a run with these guys. It's exciting to get right into it right away."

Also Monday, New York acquired forward Nick Merkley in a trade with the San Jose Sharks for defenseman Anthony Bitetto. Merkley was assigned to Hartford of the American Hockey League.

Forward Frank Vatrano was traded to the Rangers by the Florida Panthers on March 16 for a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, the lower pick of New York's selection or Winnipeg's selection previously acquired by the Rangers.

NHL.com senior writer Dan Rosen contributed to this report