The 2003–04 New York Rangers season was disappointing for the Rangers; despite having the highest payroll in the league at over $69 million, the team finished towards the bottom of the standings. In January 2004 the Rangers acquired superstar Jaromir Jagr from the Washington Capitals at a discounted salary, but little improvement was made, so the Rangers began a "rebuilding" process. Alexei Kovalev, Martin Rucinsky, Matthew Barnaby, Petr Nedved, and Jussi Markkanen were all eventually traded, in March they traded long-time defenseman Brian Leetch to the Toronto Maple Leafs for prospects, and Eric Lindros left as a free agent at season's end.