NEW YORK -- Left winger Esa Tikkanen became the latest member of the former Edmonton juggernaut to be traded to the New York Rangers, who Wednesday sent center Doug Weight to the Oilers.
The deal was announced just hours before the Oilers faced the Rangers in New York.
Tikkanen, 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, has had three 30-goal seasons in his seven previous years and is renowned as a defensive forward. This season, he has 14 goals and 19 assists in 66 games.
Tikkanen entered this season as the No. 6 all-time scorer in Oilers history with 164 goals and 239 assists for 403 points but he is better known for drawing the likes of Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky as defensive assignments.
'Checking Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux, that was my job,' Tikkanen said. 'I don't know how they're going to use me here but I'll be happy just to play for New York. I'm a left win, but if they want me at center, I'll play center.'
The 28-year-old Finn won four Stanley Cups with the Oilers, whose dynasty has been systematically dismantled, beginning with the trade of defenseman Paul Coffey. After that, the biggest blow was struck with the trade of center Wayne Gretzky -- often Tikkanen's linemate -- to Los Angeles. Right winger Jarri Kurri was to follow, eventually joining Gretzky on the Kings.
On the Rangers, Tikkanen joins former Oilers Mark Messier, Adam Graves, Jeff Beukeboom and Kevin Lowe.
'I'm not surprised,' Tikkanen said. 'I knew the whole year they've been saying I'm gone from Edmonton. I'm happy that it's happened and hopefully I will spend the rest of my hockey career in New York.'
Rangers captain Messier said Tikkanen can help them in the playoffs.
'I just look at it as Esa coming in here and giving us an added ingredient that we're missing -- his adaptability to play any position, kill penalties, power-play, point on the power play, center, left wing, right wing, and play all equally as well,' Messier said.
The Rangers are locked in a tight Patrick Division race. They entered Wednesday night in third place with 73 points, two behind second-place Washington and one ahead of the New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils.
Edmonton stands fifth in the Symthe Division -- 12 points behind fourth-place Winnipeg in the race for that division's final playoff spot. The 22-year-old Weight has appeared in 65 games this season with 15 goals and 25 assists.
