Rangers/Flames Trade Put on Hold

It was reported last night that the New York Rangers and the Calgary Flames were close to reaching an agreement on a trade that would send forwards Ales Kotalik and Christopher Higgins out west in return for Olli Jokinen and Brandon Prust.

Eight hours have passed and there is still no confirmation on a deal, and we have also learned that both Jokinen and Prust will play in tonight’s match-up against the Philadelphia Flyers in Calgary.

It is very rare that a team elects to have a player that will be traded participate in a game, unless of course negotiations have ended, considering that an injury would see the entire thing called off.

There are currently various reports stating why exactly the trade was put on hold.

First, TSN is saying that it is likely the Flames that are prolonging the process here, as they may have been a bit hesitant to pull the trigger last night when the Rangers basically thought they had the transaction set in stone.

Apparently Rangers GM Glen Sather was more than ready to submit this deal, but Calgary GM Darryl Sutter was having second thoughts.

Here is what TSN'S Bob McKenzie had to say :

"Sources tell TSN that while the Rangers thought they had the deal basically agreed to on Sunday night, the Flames weren't ready to pull the trigger, in part, because they felt they needed Jokinen in the lineup tonight against Philadelphia in Calgary. There are reports that Kotalik isn't prepared to waive his no-trade clause to go to Calgary but the indication is the Rangers were fully able and prepared to do this deal, but Calgary backed away at the last moment."

And then there is Larry Brooks of the New York Post, who was the first to break the news of Kotalik being sent back to New York to prepare to be traded on Sunday. Brooks is saying that it is Kotalik that is unwilling to waive his limited no-trade clause, which has the Flames listed as one of the three teams he originally did not wish to be traded to.

I find that odd, because Calgary is a large hockey market being in Canada and all, but nonetheless, Ales would have to waive the clause in order to be cleared for the trade.

Brooks on the situation :

"Kotalik, who somehow was able to wrangle a three-team no-trade clause in the three-year, $9 million free-agent contract he signed this summer, has told GM Glen Sather he needs time to ponder his options. And he's taking all of it.

The Rangers, who defeated the Avalanche 3-1 here last night, sent Kotalik home following Saturday night's game in Phoenix after telling him that he would be dealt. Kotalik, who fell quickly out of favor with head coach John Tortorella, has been scratched from eight of the past nine, including last night.

Previous reports that Matt Gilroy was originally included in the trade have been vigorously disputed by reliable sources and appear to have no validity.

Jokinen is scheduled to be in the Flames lineup tonight for their home game against the Flyers. It is not known whether Calgary GM Darryl Sutter will move forward with the trade if, in fact, Kotalik consents."

In all honesty, I do not know which way to turn right now, but we should know more by the end of the day.

Rookie defenseman Matt Gilroy’s name has been thrown around in rumors as well, but was quickly shot down. If this trade was to happen, I feel like it will happen soon, otherwise it will eventually die out.

I will be sure to keep you posted on twitter.com/RangersTribune and right here on the blog as additional information is released.