NY Rangers remain most ‘valuable’ NHL franchise

Sens acquire D Elliott

TORONTO, Dec 6, (Agencies): The New York Rangers are the NHL’s most valuable franchise for a fourth consecutive year, according to Forbes.

The Rangers top the annual list of franchise valuations at $1.55 billion, up 3 percent from last year.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are second at $1.35 billion, and Montreal Canadiens third at $1.3 billion, 4 percent increases for both clubs.

Original Six clubs make up the top five, with the Chicago Blackhawks fourth at $1.05 billion and the Boston Bruins fifth at $925 million. The Detroit Red Wings are not far behind in eighth ($775 million) and have seen an 11 percent increase thanks to a new downtown arena.

Los Angeles (sixth, $810 million), Philadelphia (seventh, $800 million), Vancouver (ninth, $735 million) and Washington (10th, $725 million) round out the top 10. The Capitals enjoyed a league-best 16 percent boost with their first Stanley Cup title.

The Vegas Golden Knights are 12th at $575 million after reaching the Cup final as an expansion team. At the other end of the list are the Florida Panthers (30th, $295 million) and Arizona Coyotes (31st, $290 million).

The Ottawa Senators have acquired defenseman Stefan Elliott and forward Tobias Lindberg in a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins for defenseman Macoy Erkamps and forward Ben Sexton.

Elliot

AHL’s Penguins.

The swap of minor leaguers was announced on Wednesday.

Elliott and Lindberg will report to the American Hockey League’s Belleville Senators. Sexton and Erkamps have been assigned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton

A left-hand injury will keep defenseman Danny DeKeyser out of the lineup for the Detroit Red Wings for four to six weeks, coach Jeff Blashill said Wednesday.

He suffered the injury Tuesday in the second period of Detroit’s 6-5 shootout loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. He was hit on the hand by a slap shot from Lightning forward Steven Stamkos. A hand injury also forced DeKeyser to miss eight games earlier this season.