The Rangers were unable to sign any of their three prized restricted free agents yesterday.
On Saturday, the agent for top-pair defenseman Ryan McDonagh told The Post the two sides were “getting closer” to an agreement, but that had yet to come to fruition. The same is true of deals for top-line center Derek Stepan and speedy winger Carl Hagelin.
General manager Glen Sather had extended qualifying offers to all three, as well as restricted winger Mats Zuccarello. McDonagh and Hagelin have until Wednesday to file for salary arbitration. If they don’t, the team may file on Thursday.
The good news was another day went by without any of them receiving an offer sheet from another club. If that happens, it would force the Rangers into a position where they might have to pay significantly more than they would like — and take up some of the little room they have left under the salary cap — or let the player leave and receive compensatory draft picks.