If the Rangers can create enough salary cap space before the Dec. 19 roster freeze, sources tell TFP free agent Mats Sundin will sign with New York.
Sundin, who is in New York because of a commitment with PokerStars, a company he endorses, met with Rangers management yesterday. It's believed that the Blueshirts are Sundin's No.1 choice.
The Rangers have been looking to shed upwards of $5 million in salary, with the likes of Michal Rozsival and Petr Prucha being shopped around the league.
The Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks and Chicago Blackhawks are among Sundin's final four choices. Only the Canucks have the current cap space to accommodate Sundin's salary.
Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon told the Chicago Daily Herald on Friday that he will have to make a trade in order to fit Sundin's salary on the roster, and that's been a difficult task to date.
According to the Columbus Dispatch, Sundin's agent J.P. Barry wants all interested clubs to have their "best and final" offers presented by Monday.
The Ottawa Sun reports the Rangers might be willing to trade Rozsival to the Dallas Stars for Sean Avery, upon which they would send Avery to the AHL, freeing up around $3.35 million in cap space.
If the Rangers, Habs and Blackhawks are unable to make the necessary roster adjustments, the Canucks are Sundin's likely destination, the Dispatch reports.
