GREAT START: Greg Stepan beats Jets goaltender Ondrej Pavelec 19 seconds into the game during the Rangers’ eventual 4-2 triumph last night at the Garden. (Neil Miller)
Last night’s 4-2 victory over the Jets at the Garden was vital for the Rangers’ psyche, not to mention their tenuous grip on the final playoff berth in the East with 13 games to go, including the next two against the runaway Penguins.
But even as the Blueshirts took advantage of a, yes, statement game from the unconquerable Ryan Callahan to dominate the final 40 minutes following an all-too familiar dreary opening first period, the outcome does not alter general manager Glen Sather’s charge heading into tomorrow’s 3 p.m. trade deadline.
There are big names flying all over the place in this bazaar of a swap meet (or is that meat?). Some, such as Jarome Iginla, Jay Bouwmeester and Brenden Morrow, have already been dealt. Others, such as Jason Pominville, Jaromir Jagr, Miikka Kiprusoff and Ryan Clowe, could be on the move.
It is, however, highly unlikely Sather, who last night attended his first game since undergoing successful prostate cancer surgery on March 21, will get a seat at the high-stakes table. The Rangers just aren’t good enough to deal young assets and draft picks in exchange for quick-fix veteran rentals. And, for the most part, there’s not much interest in the players management wouldn’t mind shedding.
Sharks director of pro scouting John Ferguson Jr. continued to bird-dog the Rangers last night, just as he has done regularly over the last couple of weeks.
It is difficult, however, to imagine the Blueshirts would be in the bidding for the 30-year-old Clowe, a sandpaper-type player the Rangers sorely lack, all right, but for whom the Sharks are apparently seeking a lend-lease bounty worthy of a Marian Hossa.
Nor does it seem logical the Rangers would be willing and/or able to construct a package in exchange for Dan Boyle, the 36-year-old San Jose offense-minded defenseman who was a key component of coach John Tortorella’s 2004 Cup-winning Lightning.
That acquisition would make marginal sense if the Sharks were willing to deal the defenseman, who carries a $6.67 million cap hit through next season, in exchange for Marian Gaborik, whose $7.5 million hit goes through 2013-14.
But that’s not on the table. Indeed, The Post has learned there is essentially no league-wide chatter regarding Gaborik, who not only has scored only one goal in his last 13 games and two in his last 22, but has somehow scored on just two of his last 70 shots. That is almost a mathematical impossibility for a sniper who entered the season with a career 13.3 shooting percentage, but is at 7.9 percent this season.
At some point, and at some point soon, it is going to turn for No. 10, who was involved in the dirty areas throughout last night while pumping six shots on goal. Better for the Rangers that it turns with Gaborik wearing a Blueshirt.
According to sources, there is considerable interest in Brian Boyle, who logged 17:40 last night in what sure looked like a showcase. Despite a miserable season, the 6-foot-7 center has the size coveted by Cup contenders. Of course, he has the size coveted by the Rangers as well.
“I don’t have any control over it one way or another, so there’s no sense in worrying about it,” Boyle told The Post. “I haven’t had the season I’ve wanted up until now, but I hope I stay here.
“I certainly don’t want to go anywhere, but it’s out of my hands.”
Sather, of course, is going to seek to improve his eighth-place team. He will attempt to strengthen the blue line, especially with Marc Staal’s return in doubt. He will attempt to add grit and strength on the wings.
But the GM won’t be playing with a strong hand. And it makes no sense for him or the Rangers to deal away future potential aces. Better to stand pat than try that.
Last night’s victory does not and cannot alter that reality.