Henrik Lundqvist isn’t the only prominent Ranger in the final year of his contract. First-pair right defenseman Dan Girardi is an impending free agent.
And so is captain Ryan Callahan.
“There’s absolutely nothing going on with that,” Callahan told The Post before Monday night’s 5-2 defeat to the Jets at the Garden when asked about the status of negotiations.
The career Ranger, who will turn 29 in March, will be courted by a substantial number of clubs if he hits the open market. The Rochester, N.Y., native is expected to be a primary target of the Sabres.
“It’s something that will take care of itself,” Callahan said when asked if he is bothered by the lack of progress toward an extension. “I’ll play this year and see what happens after that.”
Callahan had gone eight straight games without a goal before his second-period jam from in front at 15:50 of the second period lifted the Rangers into a 2-2 tie. It was his second goal in 12 games after recording five in his first eight matches, sandwiched around a seven-game absence with a broken thumb. The winger also missed the season-opener while rehabbing from offseason shoulder surgery.
“I’m struggling to score and want to contribute more offensively, but I’m working hard to make sure that I don’t slip in other areas of my game,” Callahan, who had seven shots and 10 attempts, said following the morning skate. “It seems like I go through something like this every year.
“I need to stay focused. I think I can be better. I need to be better.”
The Senators, who have engaged the Rangers regarding Michael Del Zotto, dispatched two scouts to the match. The Blackhawks also had a pair of front office personnel in attendance — player personnel director Pierre Gauthier and pro scout Don Lever. Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli, who scouted the Rangers’ game in Montreal Nov. 16, also watched from the press box.
Del Zotto got 19:51 of ice while in the lineup for the second straight game, playing again on the left side with third-pair partner Justin Falk after having been scratched for two straight and five of the previous eight matches. Falk has been in the lineup for four straight and seven of the last 10 after dressing for only three of the Blueshirts’ first 18 contests.
Minnesota Golden Gophers defenseman Brady Skjei, the Rangers’ first-round selection (28th overall) in the 2012 Entry Draft, is expected to be on the Team USA World Junior roster when the club is announced on Wednesday.
Brian Boyle, Benoit Pouliot, Dominic Moore, Taylor Pyatt and Anton Stralman are also eligible to become free agents on July 1.
John Moore and Pyatt were healthy scratches for the second straight game. … The Blueshirts blocked a total of four shots. … The Rangers had allowed two goals or fewer in 16 of 21 games leading into the match. … The Blueshirts have scored two goals or fewer in 17 of their 28 games. … The Jets were without winger Evander Kane (lower body injury).