The reigning NHL Art Ross Trophy winner Martin St. Louis has been traded to the New York Rangers in exchange for Ryan Callahan, a first round pick in the 2015 NHL Draft and a second round pick in the 2014 NHL Draft. These picks do have some conditions attached however.

Since returning from winning gold with Canada at the Olympic Games in Sochi his name has been involved in rumours. There have been questions about the relationship between St. Louis and Steve Yzerman stemming from the formers exclusion from the original Team Canada roster.

Confirming Martin St-Louis is traded to the Rangers for Ryan Callahan. #lightning #tvasports — Renaud Lavoie (@LavoieRenaud) March 5, 2014

St. Louis has been a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning since 2000-2001, also spending a short period with the Calgary Flames to start his career. He has played 1041 NHL games, scoring 369 goals and 604 assists for 973 points. In that time has won two Art Ross trophies, a Hart Trophy as league MVP and a Stanley Cup.

This season Martin St. Louis has scored 29 goals and 32 assists for 61 points in 62 games. With Steven Stamkos going down to injury for a large portion of the season he has been the leader of a resilient Tampa Bay Lightning team. Stamkos is set to return at some point this week. He is signed through the end of the 2014-15 season with a cap hit of $5.625 million.

The 28-year-old Callahan is the Rangers captain and was part of the U.S. Olympic team in Sochi. He has 11 goals and 14 assists for 25 points this season, in 45 games. He is known for his gritty, hard-nosed, never say die style of play and his leadership.

Callahan was a 4th round pick (127th overall) of the Rangers in 2004. He has played his NHL entire career with New York appearing in seven full seasons with the team and parts of an eighth season. He has 132 goals and 122 assists for 252 career points in 450 career NHL games.

As for the conditions, if New York makes the Eastern Conference finals, the 2014 second round pick becomes a first round pick.

If Ryan Callahan re-signs with the Lightning, the 2015 first round pick moves to the second round, and the Lightning receive an additional 7th round pick from New York in 2015.

Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow me on Twitter – @mitchrtierney. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport – and “liking” our Facebook page.

Interested in writing for LWOS? We are looking for enthusiastic, talented writers to join our (insert sport) writing team. Visit our“Write for Us” page for very easy details in how you can get started today!

Main photo credit: bridgetds via photopin cc