Panthers acquire rights to Keith Yandle from Rangers

The Florida Panthers have acquired the rights to pending unrestricted free-agent defenseman Keith Yandle from New York, the Rangers announced.

In return, the Rangers will receive a sixth-round pick in 2016 and a conditional fourth-round selection in 2017 if Yandle signs with the Panthers.

The deal comes as no surprise. Earlier in the week, it was reported that both sides had not begun contract talks, even with the 29-year-old set to become a UFA on July 1.

In his first full season with the Rangers, Yandle led the team's blue-liners with 47 points in 82 games.