Rangers add help on deadline day with Andrew Copp, Tyler Motte and Justin Braun

Chris Drury’s first trade deadline day as Rangers general manager was a busy one, as he completed four deals before the NHL’s 3 p.m. deadline Monday and still managed to hold on to most of his highly regarded young prospects. Those now can be used, if Drury chooses, as part of some bigger, more impactful deals over the summer.

The Rangers landed forwards Andrew Copp from Winnipeg and Tyler Motte from Vancouver as well as defenseman Justin Braun from Philadelphia. All are pending unrestricted free agents. In return, Drury gave up mostly draft picks, with just one young prospect, forward Morgan Barron, shipped out. He went to Winnipeg in the Copp deal.

Drury also made a minor-league deal, sending defenseman Anthony Bitetto, a native of Island Park, to the San Jose Sharks for forward Nick Merkley.

“It was obviously a lot of balls in the air leading up to the deadline, and we’re excited with what we were able to do and get the players we were able to get,’’ Drury said in a conference call Monday evening. “We’re excited to see them play, hopefully as soon as tomorrow.’’

The Rangers, who were off Monday, will face the Devils in Newark on Tuesday night.

Copp, 27, probably was the biggest name acquired by the Rangers on deadline day. He signed a one-year, $3.64 million deal with Winnipeg before the season and had 13 goals and 22 assists in 56 games with the Jets. The Rangers got him and a 2023 sixth-round pick for Barron, two conditional second-round picks and a fifth-rounder in 2023.

The two second-round picks are the Rangers’ own second-rounder in 2022, which will become a first-rounder if they get to the Eastern Conference finals this spring and Copp plays in 50% of their playoff games, and either St. Louis’ second-rounder in 2022 (acquired in the Pavel Buchnevich trade last summer) or the Rangers’ own second-rounder in 2023.

Getting two forwards was important for the Rangers, who added Frank Vatrano from Florida last week. Drury said forwards Kaapo Kakko and Kevin Rooney, both out with upper-body injuries, will be sidelined at least until early April.

Braun, 35, was acquired for a third-round pick in 2023. Motte cost a fourth-round pick in 2023.

The 6-2, 205-pound Braun, a righthanded shot, had five goals and 11 assists in 61 games for the Flyers and managed a plus/minus rating of plus-3 on a team that has allowed 58 more goals than it has scored. He has averaged 20:02 of ice time per game and kills penalties. He carries a $1.8 million salary-cap hit.

Drury wouldn’t say exactly where he sees Braun fitting with the Rangers, leaving that question for coach Gerard Gallant to answer. The right side of the defense appears to be set, with Adam Fox and Jacob Trouba occupying the top two spots and impressive rookie Braden Schneider holding down the third spot. Drury said the fact that Braun is a righthanded shot is something that added to his attractiveness, as was his playoff experience (100 games).

Motte, who had seven goals and eight assists in 49 games for Vancouver and carries a $1.225 million cap hit, was described by Drury as “just a good all-around pro [who] can do a lot of good things.’’

“PK, kind of in the bottom six of your lineup, plays extremely hard, competitive,’’ Drury said. “High-character guy I think will fit in nicely.’’

Drury, who hadn’t spoken to the media since before the start of training camp, was asked if he’s made progress on a new contract for pending UFA Ryan Strome. He declined to comment other than to say Strome has been “a great Ranger’’ and “we’re really excited he’s on our team down the stretch here.’’

By Colin Stephenson

colin.stephenson@newsday.comColinSNewsday

Colin Stephenson covers the Rangers for Newsday. He has spent more than two decades covering the NHL and just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.