Their assets no longer frozen in anticipation of a trade for Pavel Bure, the Rangers have expressed interest in constructing a deal for San Jose defenseman Andrei Zyuzin, The Post has learned.
Zyuzin, who celebrated his 21st birthday yesterday, was the second overall selection in the 1997 Entry Draft. He’s exactly the type of offensively gifted, puck-moving, mobile defenseman the Rangers are desperately seeking to add to what is now an older, slower unit.
The Sharks, stocked with defensive prospects in the junior WHL – 1997’s 23d-overall, Scott Hannan, and last year’s third-overall, Brad Stuart, are the most promising – are seeking immediate help up front in their effort to make the playoffs.
It is believed that San Jose GM Dean Lombardi, who earlier this year asked Florida for center Rob Niedermayer when the Panthers inquired about Zyuzin, is interested in, among others, Niklas Sundstrom.
The Sharks, of course, have been trying to find a way to acquire Adam Graves since last June, but it is inconceivable that they would deal a player as young as Zyuzin for one eligible to become an unrestricted free agent July 1, no matter Graves’ value.
Zyuzin, a native of Ufa, Russia, played in 56 games last year for the Sharks, registering a plus-eight rating while recording 13 points (6-7) in 56 games. He opened this season in San Jose, getting two goals in 12 games before being assigned to the AHL Kentucky Thorobreds, where he had four points (2-2) in 23 games before his recall this week. He’ll play in Monday’s AHL All Star Game before returning to San Jose.
“My sense is that San Jose has been very cautious with him,” Zyuzin’s agent, Jay Grossman, said. “Andrei is a gifted offensive player, but more than that, he has the toughness and strength to withstand physical play that some other finesse players don’t have.
“He brings the full equation to the table; he’s the total package.”
The question is whether the Rangers, who could not construct a mutually acceptable trade package for Bure, can now do so for the Russian Rocket’s countryman.
*Mathieu Schneider, who initially tweaked his groin in the Rangers’ Jan. 8 speed-skating competition, sat out last night’s Garden match against the Panthers. The defenseman, who had played in two of the previous three matches after missing a pair immediately following the injury, had an MRI examination on Wednesday that revealed no serious damage.
“With the All-Star break, I’ll be able to rest over the weekend, so I’m hoping that by our next game [Tuesday in Washington], it’ll be fine,” Schneider said. Chris Tamer dressed in Schneider’s place.
Marc Savard, benched for the final 45 minutes of Tuesday’s 2-1 loss to the Senators, was restored to third-line status last night, skating between Kevin Stevens and Sean Pronger.
“Savvy has really improved from the beginning of the year and is contributing in a lot of areas, but the other night I wasn’t happy with the work ethic he showed in that particular game, and I talked to him about it [on Wednesday],” John Muckler said. “He’s aware of what’s expected of him.”
Meanwhile, Manny Malhotra moved back to the fourth line, which last night included Darren Langdon and Brent Fedyk.
“Manny has played really well his last couple of game,” Muckler said. “My problem now is finding a way to work him in.”
