BillsFever
07-02-2003, 11:51 PM
NEW YORK -- Mark Messier, whose first stint on Broadway earned him the nickname "The Messiah," had his rights traded from the New York Rangers to the San Jose Sharks for future considerations, the teams announced Tuesday.
The deal was consummated before the Monday midnight ET deadline when eligible players became free agents.
Messier, 42, became an unrestricted free agent Tuesday, meaning he can sign with any team, including the Rangers, whom he helped to the Stanley Cup in 1994 and returned to captain in 2000-01 after a three-year absence.
On Monday the Rangers also traded All-Star defenseman Brian Leetch to Edmonton for backup goaltender Jussi Markkanen and a fourth-round draft choice in 2004.
If their new teams fail to sign Messier and Leetch, the clubs will be awarded compensation.
http://espn.go.com/nhl/news/2003/0701/1575382.html
The deal was consummated before the Monday midnight ET deadline when eligible players became free agents.
Messier, 42, became an unrestricted free agent Tuesday, meaning he can sign with any team, including the Rangers, whom he helped to the Stanley Cup in 1994 and returned to captain in 2000-01 after a three-year absence.
On Monday the Rangers also traded All-Star defenseman Brian Leetch to Edmonton for backup goaltender Jussi Markkanen and a fourth-round draft choice in 2004.
If their new teams fail to sign Messier and Leetch, the clubs will be awarded compensation.
http://espn.go.com/nhl/news/2003/0701/1575382.html