If Rangers general manager Glen Sather is interested in reuniting with Ryan Smyth by acquiring Edmonton’s veteran left wing to bolster the attack, the feeling may well be a reciprocal one, The Post has learned.
A well-placed source told The Post that Smyth, who was drafted sixth overall in 1994 by Sather and then played the first five years under his direction while he was general manager of the Oilers, would give serious consideration to waiving his no-move clause in order to pursue a Cup on Broadway.
The Eastern Conference-leading Rangers, who have scored 17 goals in their last nine games and have been limited to two goals or fewer in 20 of their 49 matches, are seeking to add both scoring punch and a defenseman in advance of the Feb. 27 trade deadline.
Smyth, who will turn 36 on Feb. 21, has recorded 34 points (16 goals, 18 assists) in 50 games while getting 19:55 of ice time in this final year of his contract under which he carries a $6.25 million cap hit.
The Rangers, who face the Flyers at the Garden on Sunday, would need to clear space in order to accommodate the acquisition of Smyth, not to mention both the winger and a defenseman. Sather, who has enjoyed a longstanding good relationship with Smyth, will have myriad options to create space.
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound winger is a documented net presence who certainly would be a sight for sore eyes on the dysfunctional Rangers power play that has failed on 28 consecutive five-on-four advantages since Jan. 5, and is mired in overall 1-for-26, 2-for-39 and 4-for-57 skids.
Smyth, who has a lifetime total of 355 goals and 405 assists for 760 points in 1,069 games, spent the first 11 years of his NHL career in Edmonton until he was traded to the Islanders as a rental at the 2006-07 trade deadline.
After helping the Islanders secure a playoff spot, Smyth signed a free agent contract with the Avalanche that summer despite general manager Garth Snow’s aggressive attempt to keep him on Long Island. The winger played two years with Colorado and then two years with the Kings before returning via trade at his request to Edmonton this year.