The New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators gave hockey fans something to chew on nearly three weeks after free agency opened up.

The clubs exchanged talented forwards, swapping Mika Zibanejad and a second-round pick in 2018 for Derick Brassard and a seventh-round pick in 2018.

Related: Rangers trade Brassard to Senators for Zibanejad

At first glance it can be hard to determine who exactly came out the winner in the transaction and that is simply a product of a deal that aids both sides.

Ottawa Senators

In Brassard the Senators acquire a forward who has seen his goal production climb every year since the 2012-13 season. He's coming off his most lethal season, hitting a career-high 27 goals in 80 games.

The club also addresses its need for improvement on the power play. Last season the Senators finished 26th in the league, capitalizing on just 15.8 percent of their chances.

Brassard, meanwhile, scored 22 of his 58 points last season with the extra man, contributing eight goals in the process. Meanwhile, Zibanejad managed just two power-play goals and 11 power-play points last season.

The 28-year-old will also join a familiar face behind the team's bench. Guy Boucher - who joined the Senators this offseason - coached Brassard during his last year of junior hockey with the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the QMJHL during the 2007-07 season.

While he was limited to just 14 games during the regular season, Brassard collected six goals and 25 games and another 24 points in 12 playoff games under Boucher's watchful eye.

Factor in that Brassard has put up 18 goals and 44 points in 59 playoff games over the last four years and the Senators gain a player who should aid them in their pursuit to return to the postseason.

New York Rangers

In Zibanejad the Rangers also acquire a player - who like Brassard - has seen his production rise incrementally every year since he stepped onto the ice full-time during the 2012-13 season.

Zibanejad put up his second straight season with 20 or more goals, adding another 30 assists and should provide value in his new division.

Where Brassard might make up for power-play production, Zibanejad makes up with a knack for the clutch. The Sweden native led the Senators with seven game-winning goals, three more than the next closest Senators skater and two more than Brassard.

The Rangers also acquire a forward who is over five years younger than Brassard. In a sense, New York flipped a seventh-round pick for a second - not too shabby.

Of course, the deal also helps the Rangers free up nearly $2.5 million in salary, giving them a comfortable $10.65 million of cap space and opens up room to be flexible in future deals.

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