Canucks deal Tyler Motte to New York Rangers at NHL trade deadline

The Vancouver Canuckswent down to the wire on NHL trade deadline dayMonday, dealingforward Tyler Motte to the New York Rangers for a fourth round pick in 2023 just as the noon P.T. deadline hit.

Motte, a pending unrestricted free agent, has 15 points in 49 games this season. He was a Vancouver fan favourite, playing a key rolechecking and on the Canucks penalty kill.

General Manager Patrik Allvin wouldn't say if theclub was close to re-signing Motte in negotiations leading up to the trade deadline.

"I felt that when it was clear that we couldn't re-sign him we should try to maximize our return at this point," said Allvin.

In an earlier move, Vancouver claimed veteran Brad Richardson off waivers from Calgary. The37-year-old forward previously played for the Canucks in2013-14and 2014-15.

Out of the playoff hunt, the Canucksneed to clear salary cap room in order to createmore flexibility within their roster. The team has spent right up to the$81.5 million NHL salary cap this season, with little to show for it.

Vancouver swung two minor trades on Sunday, acquiring young defenceman Travis Dermottfrom Torontoin exchange for a third-round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The 25-year-old was selected34th overallin the 2015 draft and earns $1.5 million each of this season and next.

DefencemanTravis Hamonic, 31,was sent to Ottawa for a third-round pick in the 2022 draft, clearing the $3 million in salary for next season.

"It's just not only to create cap space, you want to look at the bigger picture, what you want to accomplish," said Allvin. "We felt we picked up a younger [defenceman] in Travis [Dermott] at half of the salary of Hamonic. We are lookingat every wayto improve the hockey club."

Vancouver is on a three-game losing streak after falling to Buffalo 3-2 in overtime Sunday at home.