NEW YORK - The Florida Panthers traded superstar winger Pavel Bure to the New York Rangers on Monday in exchange for defencemen Igor Ulanov and Filip Novak. The Panthers also receive first- and second-round picks in the 2002 NHL draft and a fourth-round pick in 2003. The Rangers also get a second-round pick in 2002.

Bure, who turns 31 on March 31, has 22 goals in 56 games this season after leading the NHL with 58 and 59, respectively, the previous two seasons.

The Rangers hope that the addition of Bure, one of the most dangerous and explosive snipers in the NHL, will help carry them to the playoffs for the first time since 1996-97. New York is currently ninth in the Eastern Conference, three points behind Montreal heading into Monday's play.

"I'm very excited to be getting Pavel Bure," Rangers general manager Glen Sather told Sportsnet. "He gives us a strong presence for a playoff charge. He's flying to New York tonight, and he will be in my lineup tomorrow."

Despite Bure's 152 goals in 223 games as a Panther, Florida hasn't won a playoff game with him, nor a playoff series since 1996.

This season, the Panthers are just 19-37-7-5 and among the worst teams in the NHL.

Bure has two more years at $10 million US each left on his contract, as well as an option year for 2004-05 at $11 million US. His salary accounted for one quarter of the Panthers' payroll and was too much for a team that has decided to rebuild.

"We needed some roster flexibility and it's a great fit for Pavel going to New York," Panthers coach Mike Keenan told Sportsnet. "I talked to Pavel about this quite some time ago and if there was a choice, this would be his number one choice. I'm sad to lose him, (he's) a 50-goal scorer."

Novak, a native of the Czech Republic, spent the pre-season with the Rangers but was sent back to the Regina Pats of the WHL. In 60 games with the Pats this season, Novak had 12 goals and 45 assists. He was drafted by the Rangers in the second round of the 2000 draft, 64th overall.

Novak, who had a strong camp with the Rangers last fall, has great vision on the ice with tremendous speed and puck-handling skills. The 19-year-old, who has been compared by some to Sergei Gonchar of the Washington Capitals, can also quarterback the power play.

Ulanov, who had been a healthy scratch for the Rangers numerous times this season, was sent to the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack earlier this month. He was recalled by the Rangers last week. In 39 games with the NHL club this season, Ulanov has six assists and 53 penalty minutes.

In 590 career games, Ulanov has 18 goals and 111 assists along with 1,044 penalty minutes.

Bure, who established a modern league record by accounting for 29.5 per cent of his team's production last season, has scored at least 51 goals in each of the five seasons he has played at least 70 games.

Bure is no stranger to big trades. In 1999 he was dealt to Florida from Vancouver along with Bret Hedican and Brad Ference and a conditional third-round selection for Dave Gagner, Ed Jovanovski, Mike Brown, Kevin Weekes and a conditional first-round selection.