Rangers a finalist for Harvard stud, who would be perfect fit

Rangers a finalist for Harvard stud, who would be perfect fit

The Rangers are among the final two or three teams under consideration by Harvard free agent Alex Kerfoot, The Post has learned.

J.P. Barry, the 23-year-old center’s agent who confirmed the parties’ mutual interest, told The Post that Kerfoot likely would reach a decision by Tuesday following a weekend of reflection.

Kerfoot, a Hobey Baker finalist who recorded 45 points (16-29) for the Crimson last year, was originally selected by the Devils in the fifth round of the 2012 entry draft at 150th overall but decided to go the route of one-time teammate Jimmy Vesey and become a free agent after four years of college.

The 5-10, 175-pounder is quick and skilled and plays a position at which the Blueshirts appear painfully thin with teenage 2017 first-rounder Lias Andersson and veteran David Desharnais apparently 3 and 4 on the depth chart down the middle.

Mika Zibanejad and Kevin Hayes are 1 and 2, with each moving up a rung in the aftermath of Derek Stepan’s departure to Arizona via the draft-day trade for the seventh-overall selection used on Andersson and young righty defenseman Anthony DeAngelo.

The club’s interest in Kerfoot indicates a dearth of options at center otherwise available to general manager Jeff Gorton.

If Kerfoot — a Vancouver native who is believed to be mulling an offer from the Canucks — does follow Vesey to Broadway, Harvard’s 2016-17 captain would certainly be in the mix for an opening-night roster spot.

The Rangers, who will be on the ice Sept. 15 for their first training camp session, have 48 players under contract. That is two below the NHL maximum.