rangers report...

We may see the Rangers be the first team to offer a contract to an RFA (Restricted Free Agent). Ilya Kovalchuk who is without a contract in Atlanta and is threatening to play in Russia this year, may get an offer from the blue shirts this week. The Rangers concern is that there isn't a lot of UFA's (Unrestricted Free Agents) coming up in the next two years so why not take a shot at Kovalchuk now? Atlanta is close to the cap and their priority right now is getting a goalie - (they just signed former Ranger and sive Mike Dunham) and Kovalchuk is not happy about the departure of his good friend Dany Heatley and is reluctant to re-sign in Atlanta. Since Washington is picking up part of Jaromir Jagr's contract this season, the Rangers have plenty of cap room to make Kovalchuk an offer he can't refuse. Signing the 22 year old Russian star would add a lot of excitement to MSG this year.

Rookie camp starts this week. The start of the regular season is only about a month away.

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