A week ago, the Rangers and every other interested party seemed to be out of the running for Dan Boyle, who at the time appeared poised to sign a long-term deal with Tampa Bay.
Now, however, the impending free-agent defenseman may be available, for The Post has learned that despite the Lightning’s desire to lock up Boyle, little if any progress has been made toward that end.
Indeed, it is unclear whether Tampa Bay’s incoming ownership will allow GM Jay Feaster to commit the $6-7 million per season Boyle is all but certain to command if the team can’t first move Brad Richards and the final three seasons of his $7.8M per contract.
That’s why Richards – who has a no-trade clause but seems amenable to waiving it under the right conditions – was dangled so aggressively at this week’s GM meetings in Florida
Sources report Tampa Bay will seek to move Boyle if he is unsigned into Tuesday’s trade deadline rather than allow him to bolt as a free agent while getting nothing in return. If that is the case, the Blueshirts will be first in line to acquire the multi-dimensional power-play quarterback who will turn 32 this summer.
The Post has learned that in addition to the Rangers, the Flyers and Sharks have been closely monitoring the situation, with the Penguins and Senators recently joining the queue. And while the Blueshirts may not offer the best package in terms of quality – their Type A kids are under quarantine – they do have a large quantity of Type Bs to offer a Tampa Bay organization whose cupboard is bereft of prospects.
The Blueshirts have one other thing going for them as well, and that’s the no-trade clause that Boyle holds. Though nothing is set in stone, it is believed New York is Boyle’s preferred destination if he doesn’t remain in Tampa. Thus, Boyle has as much ability to drive the trade as does Feaster.
Again, Tampa Bay’s strong preference is to keep Boyle, If, however, that is not possible, he may well be a Ranger in five days.
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Following a week in which Glen Sather provided generous contracts to prospective restricted free agents Henrik Lundqvist and Fedor Tyutin and a fair-market contract to prospective restricted free agent Dan Girardi, the GM and impending unrestricted free agent Sean (Garbo) Avery are making progress in their negotiations, The Post has learned.
Avery, who has played his best hockey of the year over the last week, is believed to be handling the contract discussions on his own. The winger and GM are believed to be discussing both a one-year bridge deal and multi-year deal in the range of $2.85-3.3M per.
Blueshirts are believed interested in bringing back St. Louis winger Martin Rucinsky for a fourth tour of duty on Broadway. Rangers would deal Marek Malik – whom St. Louis president John Davidson likes – but would need to get a defenseman back either while or before moving him.
Sharks and Thrashers have talked about a blockbuster in which Patrick Marleau and Matt Carle would go to Atlanta in exchange for a package featuring Marian Hossa and Bobby Holik . . . Sharks are offering Carle as part of the package for Boyle and for Buffalo impending free-agent defenseman Brian Campbell . . . Islanders GM Garth Snow entered and exited meetings as a buyer, not a seller.