RALEIGH – They haven’t ruled out the goaltender.
Despite the presence of goaltending prospects Dan Blackburn and Henrik Lundqvist on an otherwise shallow organizational depth chart, the Rangers this week have indicated serious interest in selecting U. of Michigan netminder Alvaro Montoya with the sixth overall pick in tomorrow’s NHL Entry Draft, sources have told The Post.
Glen Sather and his staff spent the better part of yesterday morning interviewing and testing the 19-year-old Illinois native.
There is, however, no guarantee that Montoya, who led Team USA to the World Junior Championship gold medal this winter as a Wolverine sophomore, will be available at that spot. Columbus, which has the fourth-overall selection, is listening to trade offers from clubs who covet a goaltender, such as Los Angeles and St. Louis. And Phoenix, which owns the fifth pick, is also believed quite interested in Montoya.
It’s possible as well that the Rangers are signaling interest in Montoya in order to sweeten offers they might receive for the pick. The Post has learned that the Blueshirts, who also have the 24th overall pick here tomorrow (obtained in the Brian Leetch trade) in addition to five second-round picks, have been approached by the Kings, who select 11th. The Rangers have had previous interest in LA’s 23-year-old right winger Mike Cammalleri.
Sather, meanwhile, has spoken to Washington GM George McPhee about trading up for the first overall selection, but there appears no chance that the Blueshirts will be able to pull off the deal that would allow them to pick Alexander Ovechkin. Well, maybe if the team offers to add Jaromir Jagr to the package . . .
If the Rangers remain in the six hole and do not select Montoya – essentially regarded as the co-No. 1 goaltender available with Czech Marek Schwarz – they are believed leaning toward choosing either WHL winger Andrew Ladd or North Dakota winger Drew Stafford with their first pick. While intrigued by offensively gifted center Robbie Schremp, the Rangers are not likely to gamble on him, given questions about his work ethic and given that the team passed on signing RJ Umberger due to similar concerns.