The Rangers’ pursuit of Rick Nash remained in a holding pattern yesterday, but there are other less weighty matters on general manager Glen Sather’s plate.
To wit: It appears as if restricted free-agent defenseman Anton Stralman, whom the Rangers qualified at $945,000, is leaning toward remaining in the NHL rather than returning home to pursue a career in Sweden, an individual familiar with the situation told The Post.
Stralman, second on the blue-line depth chart on the right side, is eligible for salary arbitration.
If, as is now believed likely, the 25-year-old (who turns 26 next month) files by Thursday’s 5 p.m. deadline, he will be locked into a contract with the Rangers unless the Blueshirts would somehow choose to walk away from the award.
It’s far more plausible the Rangers will attempt to negotiate a multi-year deal with Stralman, who recorded six points (3-3) while going plus-one in the playoffs in 16:55 of ice per that included 2:53 of power-play point time.
Stralman played 53 regular-season games for the Blueshirts (2-16-18, plus-9 in 17:05 per) after signing as a free agent on Nov. 11.
The Rangers also have been in contact with unrestricted free-agent winger Ruslan Fedotenko, who, a source reports, remains in the mix.
Negotiations, however, have not begun regarding No. 26’s return for a third season on Broadway.
The loss of Brandon Prust to Montreal has cut into the Rangers’ depth on the wing and on the penalty-kill unit.
It would seem there should be room for Fedotenko, who had a disappointing season but emerged as one of the Blueshirts’ more reliable grinders in the postseason.