Brendan Smith remains an impending free agent, but Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton and the 28-year-old defenseman remain engaged in talks that could keep the important deadline acquisition on Broadway.
“Jeff and I are continuing to have a good dialogue,” agent Anton Thun told The Post on Monday. “Hopefully we’re working toward a resolution that would allow Brendan to return to the Rangers.
“Nothing has changed as far as Brendan is concerned in terms of his desire to sign a new contract with them. Obviously there’s a marketplace both sides are aware of that includes upcoming free agency and possible trades, but I think we’re trying to achieve the same objective.”
Thun did not discuss terms of an agreement that Smith is seeking, but it’s likely he would be able to command a four- or five-year contract north of $4 million per year. Smith played with a welcome edge, particularly throughout the playoffs, after he was acquired from the Red Wings in exchange for a 2018 second-round pick and a 2017 third-rounder.
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“No one should read anything into the fact that we don’t have a deal yet,” Thun said of his client’s looming July 1 free agency. “You’re never really close until it’s done, but both sides are trying to make it happen. We’ll have to see.”
With teams able to talk to — but not negotiate with — pending free agents, the Rangers have reached out to Buffalo netminder Anders Nilsson, The Post has learned.
Antti Niemi, a Dallas buyout, Keith Kinkaid, Mike Condon and Ondrej Pavelec may also be of interest as the Blueshirts seek to fill the backup goaltender vacancy created by Antti Raanta’s trade to Arizona.
The 27-year-old, 6-foot-6 Nilsson, who began his NHL career with the Islanders, went 10-10-4/.923/2.67 with the Sabres last year.