The New York Rangers acquired young forward Brendan Brisson in a trade with the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday. The 23-year-old has some rather unique ties to Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby.

Sidney Crosby once babysat Brendan Brisson, the New York Rangers' latest acquisition. Crosby stayed with Brisson's family during offseasons. Brisson, a first-round 2020 NHL Draft pick, struggled with the Vegas Golden Knights but aims for a fresh start with the Rangers.

Former Michigan standout forward Brendan Brisson is getting a fresh start with the New York Rangers. The Vegas Golden Knights, who drafted Brisson with the No. 29 overall selection in 2020, traded him and a third-round pick in this year’s draft to the Rangers on Thursday for forward Reilly Smith.

The Rangers are caught in a sort of gray area ahead of this year’s trade deadline, which is Friday at 3 p.m. Management has maintained hope these Rangers can make the playoffs this season, especially after watching them claw from the basement of the Metropolitan Division to just below the second wild-card spot over the past 2 ¹/₂ months.

Brisson and a 2025 third-round pick were acquired by the Rangers from Vegas on Thursday in exchange for Reilly Smith, per Larry Brooks of the New York Post. Brisson had no points in nine outings with the Golden Knights this season.

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