The Rangers are among the handful of NHL teams watching Peter Forsberg very closely when the 36-year-old free-agent center tests his chronically injured right foot in the Karjala Cup tournament that opens today in Sweden and will conclude over the weekend in Finland, The Post has learned.
"Yes, we have interest in Forsberg," GM Glen Sather said. "From the reports we've been getting, the foot is much better than it was a year ago.
"We'll scout him at the tournament and see what, if anything develops. But I've always liked Peter and I've always been interested in finding a way to bring him to New York, if possible."
The Rangers, who go into tonight's game here against the Oilers and assistant coach Tom Renney having scored five goals while losing three of their last four in regulation, are in desperate need of a playmaking center, of that there is no question.
The questions, however, are, a) whether Forsberg is healthy enough to compete in the NHL following a series of surgeries on his right foot and ankle; and, b) whether the center has interest in coming to New York.
Henrik Lundqvist, G
2010/09/01: Henrik Lundqvist is happy to have a capable veteran backup in Martin Biron for the 2010-11 season. "It's gonna be good to have a guy who's been playing more and is really established," said the Rangers' netminder. "The goal is definitely for me to play a little bit less and for that to help us in the long run." Lundqvist appeared in 73 games last year for the Blueshirts, which tied Calgary's Miikka Kiprusoff for the second most in the league. He is hoping the arrival of Biron will help lessen his workload and keep him fresher in the process. (Source: New York Post)
Tim Kennedy, C/W
2010/08/30: Tim Kennedy has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the New York Rangers. The deal will earn him $550,000. He earned a $1-million arbitration award, but the Buffalo Sabres waived him and chose to buy out the remainder of his contract, making him an unrestricted free agent. He is not a lock to make the Rangers' roster out of training camp though and will have to compete for an energy role on their fourth line. (Source: New York Newsday)
Tim Kennedy, C/W
2010/08/24: Tim Kennedy is confident that he will find a team willing to give him a contract soon. "Everything I've been hearing has been good, so something will work out," he said. "I'm not worried about not playing next year. I know I'm going to end up somewhere. I'm just going to try to help that team." The 24-year-old said five teams are interested in his services, but he would not reveal their identities. Toronto, Columbus, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Atlanta could be in the mix. The free agent market has a logjam of players waiting for deals, but more activity is expected in the coming weeks with teams preparing for training camp. (Source: Buffalo News)
Tim Kennedy, C/W
2010/08/05: The Columbus Blue Jackets are not interested in free agent Tim Kennedy. Columbus still has plenty of cap space, but they're reportedly done signing players. Buffalo bought out Kennedy after he received a one-year/$1 million contract by an arbitrator. Kennedy had 10 goals and 26 points in 78 games last season and he should develop into a decent player. (Source: Columbus Dispatch)
Todd White, C/LW
2010/08/04: Todd White is still recovering from shoulder surgery, but he should be ready for training camp. White has been skating for three weeks, but he still hasn't been cleared for contact. "(The rehab) is going well," White said . "I saw the doctors three weeks ago and I was cleared to start skating. I've skated a couple of times, passing and shooting. I had the shoulder surgery as soon as the season was done, that's part of not being allowed to take contact. (The start of training camp), that's my goal, that was the plan all along in Atlanta, to be ready. I've been progressing really well. It's just a matter of getting my strength, my range of motion is back." The Rangers traded Donald Brashear and Patrick Rissmiller to Atlanta to get Todd White. (Source: The Bergen Record)
Tim Kennedy, C/W
2010/08/03: Tim Kennedy has cleared waivers and the Sabres intend to buy him out. Kennedy was awarded a one-year/$1 million contract by an arbitrator. The Sabres didn't have the option to walk away from the deal because all arbitrator awarded contracts under $1,611,180 are automatically accepted this summer. Buffalo's decision to buy out Kennedy's contract came as a bit of a surprise given that the Sabres are reportedly well under the salary cap, but GM Darcy Regier has apparently been given a budget that is lower than the cap. Regier said that the team is currently over his allotted budget, but the buyout of Kennedy did help them sign blueliner Shaone Morrisonn to a two-year/$4.15 million contract. (Source: Buffalo News)
