NHL Trade Rumors: Latest Rangers Rumors Involve Wojtek Wolski and Shea Weber

The New York Rangers are a team with the potential to make some serious noise in the playoffs if they can tighten up their roster with a few key pickups at the deadline. However, a New York Post report by columnist Larry Brooks shed some light on the possibility that Wojtek Wolski may be dealt to give the Rangers some flexibility.

Wolski was acquired last season in a deal that shipped Michal Rozsival to the Phoenix Coyotes. The move bought the Rangers some needed cap relief at the time. However with Wolski set to become a restricted free agent this offseason, Brooks feels that his days as a Ranger could be numbered due to the fact that he just was put in the lineup due to an injury sustained by Brandon Dubinsky.

Here is an excerpt from the New York Post that suggests that Wolski could likely be dealt.

"

Dubinsky’s uncertain status going into the weekend over which the Rangers play in Toronto tomorrow night and in Montreal on Sunday, means Wolski won’t have to immediately decide whether to report to the Whale. The winger had said he had not reached a decision regarding the request that was first made on Tuesday.

"I have no idea,” Wolski said. “There’s too much going on to speculate.”

Given the delicacy with which Wolski chose his words when queried following the morning skate about accepting the conditioning assignment that can last up to 14 days (“Media 101, right?” he said), it can be safely inferred that he suggested the Rangers seek to trade him if there is no long term spot for him in Tortorella’s lineup.

Wolski, who turns 26 next month, is due to become a restricted free agent on July 1. It is, however, extremely unlikely the Rangers would make the $4 million qualifying offer necessary to retain his rights. In that case, Wolski would go on the open market.

"

Right now Wolski has a spot in the lineup. However, when Dubinsky is back, he could be sent down to the AHL. Wolski may have not had the best numbers in New York but he is still young and has had success in the past. 

Wolski could be involved in a minor trade for a draft pick or a small part in a larger trade for a superstar.If the Rangers attempt to make at the deadline for Bobby Ryan or Shea Weber, as pointed out in an ESPN blurb, they will definitely need all the cap space they can acquire.

For more information on the Rangers interest in Shea Weber, click here.

The Rangers are likely to make a move at the deadline but the odds are it will be for a forward. It may not be the biggest of trades because Glen Sather likely won't break up the team just to add a big name player. The trade deadline is slowly approaching so follow the Bleacher Report NHL page for the latest breaking news, updates and alerts.

Tom Urtz Jr. is an NHL Featured Columnist. For NHL news, updates and alerts about players: