NHL

Rangers struggling to keep Stepan

One of the few question marks surrounding the Rangers before training camp opens is the status of restricted free-agent Derek Stepan.

Assistant general manager Jeff Gorton said he expects a deal to get done with the 23-year-old, but added the Rangers aren’t willing to break the bank to do it — especially with the salary cap being reduced this season.

“I think there’s always a way to make a deal,” Gorton said Thursday.

At a Yankee Stadium press conference for January’s NHL Stadium Series involving the Rangers, Islanders and Devils, Gorton said coming to an agreement with Stepan is “definitely difficult for us.”

“You don’t have an unlimited amount of money left, so that’s upon us and the player to work it out.”

Gorton also said that though he “didn’t want to rule anything out,” he believes the Rangers will remain under the $64.3 million cap.

That means they have roughly $3 million to spend, depending on other moves they make before the start of the season.

Gorton made it clear Stepan is an important piece going forward.

“There’s no denying [Stepan’s] a big player for us,” Gorton said. “He’s one of our core guys.”

Another member of the Rangers’ core, Ryan Callahan, has begun skating after offseason left shoulder surgery, but said there’s no timetable for his return.

“Pretty soon I can start shooting, so come training camp time I can be shooting and skating,” Callahan said. “I think the big thing with the shoulder is contact.”

Carl Hagelin, who also had offseason left shoulder surgery, is on a similar schedule.

Gorton also said there was “no real update” regarding a new deal for Henrik Lundqvist. The goalie is scheduled to become a free agent after this season.

“We’ve had a couple of conversations with him,” Gorton said. “We’ll keep working on it,” Gorton said. “Henrik wants to be here and we want Henrik. It shouldn’t be too difficult to get a deal.”

* As for the games in The Bronx, the Rangers will face the Devils on Jan. 26 and the Islanders on Jan. 29.

“I’m already getting ticket requests,” Devils captain Bryce Salvador said.