Ottawa has traded Karel Rachunek and prospect Alexandre Giroux to the Rangers for Greg De Vries.

John Muckler overpaid to get De Vries. Giroux isn't a big loss considering he hasn't even received a callup to the big club yet. But Rachunek is a big loss considering his age, skills and salary.

Rachunek has been a convenient whipping boy for Senator fans but he's a strong, skilled, righthanded defenceman whose biggest problem has been the occasional mental lapse. And that is something that can be fixed with experience. He's been horribly underrated even in Ottawa.

De Vries might be better then Rachunek this year but I doubt he'll be better then Rachunek in two or three years time.

The caveat is if the Sens win the Cup this year, I'll never say anything bad about this trade. Otherwise, I'll continue to say that Muckler overpaid.