Sports

SATHER SAYS HE HASN’T ACCEPTED ANYTHING YET

PHILADELPHIA – While it certainly seems only a matter of time – as in days, not weeks – before Glen Sather becomes the next general manager of the Rangers, Boss Oiler insisted yesterday that the time had not yet come, and The Post has learned he has already rejected Cablevision’s first offer.

“I haven’t told any team I’d make a deal with them,” Sather said by phone late yesterday afternoon, “so if there are any reports out there that I’ve agreed to a contract with the Rangers, they are completely untrue.

“I’ve talked to the Rangers and I’ve talked to a couple of other teams, but there’s no deal. That could change in a hurry, but there’s no deal now.”

Two sources have said that Sather is seeking a three-year Ranger deal in the vicinity of $15 million, while the Garden is offering approximately $10M. It should be kept in mind that the next time this Cablevision Garden regime loses someone it wants over money, it will be the first time it loses someone it wants over money.

While Sather, currently acting as a consultant for the Oilers, was preparing to play a round of golf with the Edmonton scouts, Wayne Gretzky was meeting in Phoenix with Steve Ellman, whose bid to buy the Coyotes was crumbling. The whole plan to have Gretzky take control of the Coyotes’ hockey department seemed to be caving in on a financial house of cards.

“I know what that’s like,” Sather said.

There has been much speculation that Sather’s coronation on Broadway could come as soon as Tuesday, which is also the day on which the opener of the Stanley Cup Finals will be played. The NHL will hardly be pleased to see its showcase event overshadowed, but then, the Garden can hardly be expected to withhold an announcement for up to two weeks once a deal is consummated.

“I think sooner would be better for everyone,” Sather said earlier in the week. “It will put an end to all the speculation, for one thing.

“For another, it allows you to put people and a plan in place for the organization, it allows you time to get prepared for the draft, to study changes in personnel.

“And for me personally sooner would be better than later, since I’ll be moving after being in one place for 24 years.”